Hidden Paradise

On February 9, 2015, the Ici Radio-Canada Première radio host Marie-France Bazzo talked with the economist and philosopher Alain Deneault about tax evasion. Infuriated by what they heard, Alix Dufresne and Marc Béland responded with a virulent, spirited choreography, a reinterpretation of the interview that brilliantly portrays this economic scourge.

Breathless, absurd and outlandish dance gymnastics accompany the voices, helping the audience feel in their bones the direct consequences of a system that affects us all. Propelled by the artists’ virtuosity, the portrayal is coupled with weighty reflection on governments’ abdication of responsibility, and how legislatures are controlled by a handful of oligarchs. Repeated at high speed, stretched, truncated or distorted, the « verbatim as performance » presentation exposes the great scam that this legalized tax fraud havens constitutes. Very astute clowns, Dufresne and Béland perfectly reflect the rage and powerlessness of citizens. Paradise for a few, hell for everyone else.

Produced by Marc Béland + Alix Dufresne
Executive Producer LA SERRE – arts vivants
Conceived and performed by Marc Béland + Alix Dufresne
Outside Eye Sophie Corriveau
Dramaturgy Andréane Roy
Sound Composition Larsen Lupin
Set and Costume Design Odile Gamache
Lighting Design Cédric Delorme-Bouchard
Technical Director and Stage Manager Caroline Nadeau

Creative residencies Carrefour culturel de Notre-Dame-des-Prairies + Compagnie Marie Chouinard + Festival Quartiers Danses + Kunstencentrum BUDA (Kortrijk) + Les Brigittines (Brussels) + Maison de la culture du Plateau-Mont-Royal + Théâtre du Marais (Val-Morin) 

Presented in association with Monument-National 

Dramaturgical material
Bazzo, M-F. (2015, 9 février). Entrevue avec Alain Deneault : Fortunes canadiennes à l’abri de l’impôt en Suisse avec Alain Deneault. Ici Radio-Canada Première
http://ici.radio-canada.ca/emissions/c_est_pas_trop_tot/2014-2015/chronique.asp?idChronique=362850

Written by Diane Jean
Translated by Neil Kroetsch

Premiered at La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines, Montreal, on October 29, 2018