“ is a dance show mixing up comedy and absurdity about tax evasion,” said Alix Dufresne, co-producer and choreographer.   

The project started in 2015 when Dufresne and her co-producer Marc Béland listened to an interview on Radio-Canada Première (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) in which the Canadian philosopher Alain Deneault spoke about tax evasion. She explained that Deneault, a teacher at Université Sorbonne, wrote books about tax evasion and is a whistleblower on its impact on society.

Tax evasion: perception and reality are long lasting

Dufresne used to believe that tax evasion affected only the powerful without much impact on the common man. She reported that Deneault said that “when you wait 40 minutes for the bus at minus 20C, it is because of tax evasion. The latter is also responsible for lack of financial resources for cultural companies, poor hygiene conditions in schools and hospitals.”

Dufresne thinks that tax evasion is well known by politicians and is “even encouraged” at a global level while there is a reluctance to act despite the broad impact on society.

Outraged by what they heard, Dufresne and Béland revolted by producing a virulent and playful choreography, reinterpreting the radio interview in their own way. “We fully memorised the interview with Deneault and we hammer home the message six-fold in different ways to ensure that the message goes through.”

Why express their revolt in dance?

“[Tax evasion] affects people deep in their flesh,” Dufresne said during an interview with Delano on 30 January. She reported Deneault as saying that “nothing will change until the population feels it in their body.” She therefore intends to communicate the issue not only intellectually but also physically.

This rage is expressed by a repetitive physical performance, comedy and the “absurdity of the topic.”

Questioned by Delano on whether the artistic production has already alerted the authorities, Dufresne responded: ”we performed in front of employees working at the Quebec tax authority as well as homeless people in Montreal. “No tax authorities came to discuss with us but who knows--it could be a first in Luxembourg,” said Dufresne.

Informed that the former mayor of Mamer is now minister of finance in Luxembourg, Dufresne warmly welcomed him to .