Hidden Paradise

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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. (Source: FTA 2019)

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« Hidden Paradise is a spirited interpretation of a powerful argument that deserves retelling. An absurd, chaotic, and thoughtful performance would interest a wider audience than the subject matter suggests. Keep an open mind, enjoy the madness, and heed the message. »

- Jilian Reynolds, Montreal Theatre Hub (Canada)

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Conceived and performed by Alix Dufresne + Marc Béland

Performed Alix Dufresne + Daniel Parent

Artistic eye Sophie Corriveau

Dramaturgy Andréanne Roy

Sound composition Larsen Lupin 

Set and costume design Odile Gamache          

Lighting design Cédric Delorme-Bouchard

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Production Alix Dufresne + Marc Béland

Executive producer (touring) and development DLD - Daniel Léveillé Danse

Executive producer (creation) LA SERRE - arts vivants

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

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With the support of Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Conseil des arts du Canada, Conseil des arts de Montréal

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Created in 2018

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