Moving in November – Mélanie Demers: Confession Publique

Its title serving as a promise, Confession Publique explores ambiguity and paradox, probes the noble and the vulgar, oscillates between grace and brutality.

Choreographer Mélanie Demers turns her trusted collaborator Angélique Willkie into her muse. Together, these two kindred spirits explore the act of telling others about yourself without reserve. The result is a hard-hitting solo show, where anecdotes become painful secrets and the body reveals as much as words, if not more.

Confession Publique is a courageous laying bare of the self—a full unveiling—made possible through the trust emerging from the profound encounter of its makers. On stage, Willkie, who provides the raw material for the show, cannot escape the audience’s gaze. With her, an enigmatic human presence, sometimes devoted, sometimes hostile, manipulates and organizes the space. Through her powerful voice and captivating presence, the performer conveys the beauty and depths of her soul with strength and fragility.

Duration: 75min
Language: English
ge recommendation: 15+

Inidividual tickets at 33 / 17 euros, sold at lippu.fi. Fesival passes available via Moving in November home page.

The performance is part of Moving in November 5.–15.11.2026. As part of the festival, there will be an open Soup Talks discussion with Demers and local host on the 6th of November at noon in Caisa.

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Mélanie Demers is a multidisciplinary artist and founder of the Montreal dance company MAYDAY (2007), known for blending poetry and politics through hybrid, cross-genre works. Over her career, she has choreographed thirty pieces presented in around forty cities worldwide.

Her key choreographic achievements include WOULD and Confession Publique, which both earned CALQ Awards for best choreography, alongside internationally toured works like Animal Triste and Cabaret Noir. Demers has also expanded into theatre, directing Jordan Tannahill’s Déclarations and premiering her play l’amour ou rien in 2025.

Angélique Willkie recently moved back to Montreal after more than 20 years living in Europe. She is a performance artist, with experience as an interpreter, singer, dramaturg and educator. After graduating from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, she went to live in Belgium where she participated in several dance projects with choreographers such as Alain Platel, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Karin Vyncke and Jan Lauwers/Needcompany.

Her singing collaborations include the likes of Zap Mama, dEUS, DAAU and Zita Swoon Group. She has also lent her voice to composers such as Walter Hus and Spectra Ensemble, Kaat De Windt, David Linx, Fabrizio Cassol and the Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles.

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Ideation, direction, choreography: Mélanie Demers
Interpretation: Angélique Willkie (with the participation of Anne-Marie Jourdenais)
Rehearsal director: Anne-Marie Jourdenais
Dramaturgy: Angélique Willkie
Original music: Frannie Holder
Additional music: Excerpt by The Fairy Queen, composed by Henry Purcell, singing Angélique Willkie
Scenography: Odile Gamache
Lighting design: Claire Seyller
Costumes and accessories: Elen Ewing
Technical director and management: Hannah Kirby
Production: MAYDAY
Production manager: Alec Arsenault
Special thanks: Éléonore Loiselle, Mélanie Primeau
Co-production: La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines, Montréal, Canada; Agora de la danse, Montréal, Canada; Centro per la Scena Contemporanea Bassano del Grappa, Italy
This creation is the subject of a doctoral research-creation at the Département d’Études et pratiques des arts at UQAM.
Photo: Kevin Calixte
Visit supported by: The Québec Government Office in London
Visit in collaboration with: Stoa