GOECKE / EDESO
Between Contrast and Complementarity
Ballet d'Jèrri’s Goecke/Edeso program is a two-part performance showcasing the work of two choreographers with distinct yet deeply complementary approaches. Marking the company’s debut performance in Guernsey, this special event is supported by the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts and Guernsey Arts. Alongside the performances, Ballet d'Jèrri will also offer workshops, sharing its unique artistic language with the local dance community.
Whiteout, an electrifying work by Marco Goecke, is marked by rapid, sculptural movement, capturing palpable tension and raw emotional fragility.
Deliberate Mistake, co-created by Asier Edeso Eguia and Yulia Makeyeva, offers a meditation on time, community, and the threads that connect our lives, revealing beauty in imperfection.
Together, these works form a compelling program where contemporary dance becomes a language of shared humanity, setting the stage for an exciting new connection between Ballet d'Jèrri and Guernsey’s artistic landscape.
With special thanks to:
Guernsey Arts
Russell and Kate Kellaway
The Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts
Les Cotils
PROGRAMME
Act I: Whiteout
Choreography: Marco Goecke
Restaging: Nicole Kohlmann
Original lighting design*: Udo Haberland
Costumes: Michaela Springer
Music: Bob Dylan
Dancers:
Harri James Eiffert, Anna Daly, Stanley Young, Donovan Délis-McCarthy, Hanna Szychowicz, Roman Ho Zimbalatti, Tabitha Dombroski, Benji Knapper
Marco Goecke is probably the most famous choreographer in the contemporary dance world today. He is renowned for his innovative style and distinct movement quality. Trained in Munich and The Hague, he made his debut at Theater Hagen, where he created his first piece in 2000. He served as a resident choreographer at Stuttgart Ballet and Scapino Ballet Rotterdam before joining Nederlands Dans Theater. From 2019 to 2023, he directed the ballet of Staatsballett Hannover, continuing his exploration of a unique choreographic language. His work, performed by prestigious companies such as the Paris Opera, includes more than 90 notable creations.
Born in Frankfurt (Main), Nicole Kohlmann trained as a dancer in Frankfurt, Munich, and Mannheim, where she also qualified as a dance pedagogue. She performed with companies such as the State Opera Unter den Linden Berlin, Introdans, and Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, working with choreographers including Maurice Béjart, Ed Wubbe, and Marco Goecke. After her dance career, she studied Theater Studies and Art History at the Free University of Berlin, where she is now completing a Master’s in Dance Science. Since 2012, she has worked as a ballet master, choreographic assistant, and dramaturge, specializing in staging the works of Marco Goecke.
Marco Goecke’s Whiteout is an electrifying work of raw intensity, marked by his signature rapid, sculptural movement and an almost hypnotic interplay of tension and release. Premiered by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the piece has since captivated audiences worldwide with its visceral energy and deeply expressive physicality.
Goecke is known for never explaining what his works are about, leaving the audience to find their own meaning in the movement. Whiteout resists easy interpretation, instead immersing viewers in a world where the body speaks through shivers, sharp accents, and sudden moments of softness. The work captures something deeply human—an undercurrent of urgency, fragility, and the unspoken emotions that hover just beneath the skin.
With its striking physicality and relentless rhythm, Whiteout challenges both dancers and audience alike, demanding complete presence in a world where movement becomes the only language. Whether it evokes turmoil, catharsis, or something entirely personal, the piece invites each viewer to surrender to its momentum and draw their own conclusions.
Act II: Deliberate Mistake
Choreography: Asier Edeso Eguia
Dramaturg: Yulia Makeyeva
Original score: Ilia Osokin
Restaging: Donovan Délis-McCarthy
Original lighting design*: Chris Wink
Costumes: Yulia Makeyeva
Dancers:
Harri James Eiffert, Anna Daly, Stanley Young, Donovan Délis-McCarthy, Liam Woodvine, Roman Ho Zimbalatti, Tabitha Dombroski, Benji Knapper
Asier Edeso Eguia is a Spanish choreographer and dancer whose work merges contemporary and neoclassical influences with a highly physical and expressive movement language. Originally from the Basque Country, Asier trained at the Royal Ballet School before joining Scottish Ballet. The bulk of his career was spent at Ballets de Monte-Carlo, where he performed works by world-renowned choreographers such as Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, and Marco Goecke.
In more recent years, Asier has emerged as a choreographic voice in his own right, crafting works that explore the nuances of human connection, imperfection, and rhythm. Appointed Resident Choreographer of Ballet d’Jèrri in 2024, his creations are characterized by intricate partnering, raw physicality, and a deep sensitivity to musicality. Deliberate Mistake, co-created with Yulia Makeyeva, is his latest work for the company, reflecting his ongoing fascination with time, community, and the beauty of imperfection.
Yulia Makeyeva is a multidisciplinary artist. She grew up in Russia and now lives in Jersey, Channel Islands. Yulia turned her full attention to art practice at the end of 2019. Her Philology and Art History background and interest in history are firmly rooted in her art practice. She explores memory, heritage and time, language, boundaries and borders, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and public and private archives.
Yulia is in her final year of a two-year Art and Politics MA program at the Goldsmiths University, London.
Her sculpture Backdrop was exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024.
Any Time.Now was selected by the human rights organisation International Memorial via the open call in May 2022. After the opening exhibition in Prague on August 2022, this work is currently a part of a touring exhibition Sandarmoh. Where Trees Have Faces
Deliberate Mistake was one of the first pieces commissioned by Ballet d'Jèrri. With an arresting original score composed and performed by Ilia Osokin, the work was inspired by Makeyeva's work with knitted textiles and her original concept of using that art, which is already such a fundamental part of Jersey's history, as a metaphor for the way the society of the island is woven together. Touching on time and loss, memory and history, community support and responsibility, this piece struck a visceral chord with Jersey audiences when it premiered. The work somehow manages to expose a side of Jersey that its people might struggle to express or even admit with words, and yet is universally relatable in its fragility and fallibility. It is a calling card from a place with a developing artistic voice, and we are proud to be able to introduce our beautiful home in this way. The title, Deliberate Mistake, refers to the common practice in the 18th century of making a deliberate aberration in a knitted pattern so that the garment's wearer could be identified. Particularly useful in the identification of the distorted bodies of drowned fishermen recovered from the sea.
WORKSHOPS
15th March 2025
As part of Ballet d’Jèrri’s debut visit to Guernsey, company dancers will be leading a series of workshops, generously supported by Guernsey Arts. These sessions reflect the company’s commitment to making dance accessible to people of all ages and abilities, fostering creativity, and building connections through movement.
Dancers from the company will visit Green Acres Care Home, bringing the joy of dance to residents through interactive movement sessions designed to be engaging and inclusive. These workshops aim to spark creativity, encourage gentle mobility, and provide an uplifting experience through the power of music and dance.
Additionally, Ballet d’Jèrri will offer workshops for dance students ranging from beginners to advanced levels. Led by company members, these sessions will introduce participants to the company’s unique movement language, blending contemporary and classical influences. Whether exploring fundamental technique or delving into more complex choreographic ideas, the workshops provide an opportunity for dancers to develop their skills and experience the company’s distinctive approach firsthand.
These workshops are part of Ballet d’Jèrri’s ongoing mission to share the art of dance beyond the stage, creating meaningful exchanges with the communities they visit.
About Ballet d’Jèrri
Jersey’s National Dance Company
Ballet d’Jèrri is Jersey’s national dance company and a registered charity, dedicated to creating bold, contemporary ballet that resonates with local audiences while representing the island on international stages. Founded in 2022 under the artistic direction of Carolyn Rose Ramsay, the company is driven by a commitment to artistic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
With a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary dance, Ballet d’Jèrri develops new works that explore compelling narratives, often drawing inspiration from Jersey’s unique heritage. The company collaborates with internationally renowned choreographers while also nurturing emerging voices, ensuring a dynamic and ever-evolving repertoire.
Beyond performance, Ballet d’Jèrri is deeply invested in outreach and education, bringing dance into schools, care homes, and community spaces. Through workshops, residencies, and collaborative projects, the company strives to make dance an accessible and inspiring art form for all.
As a registered charity, Ballet d’Jèrri relies on the generous support of donors, sponsors, and funding bodies to continue its artistic and community-driven mission. Since its inception, the company has rapidly gained recognition, performing at prestigious venues and festivals across Europe. Whether on stage or in the community, Ballet d’Jèrri remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of contemporary ballet while forging meaningful connections with audiences at home and abroad.