INTERVIEW DANCE INFORMA
Australian Dance Award
with Kristy Johnson
Australian Dance Awards 2012
31 October 2012
“I felt, and still feel, very overwhelmed. The ceremony was such a celebration of dance and I was surrounded by so many talented people. I quickly realised I’m very lucky to be part of a strong and vibrant dance community here in Australia”. Elise May
Photography by Chris Herzfeld
REVIEW DANCE AUSTRALIA
The Red Shoes
Reviewed by Denise Richardson
QPAC Brisbane
22 July 2014
“As Victoria, Elise May had the maturity to give a depth to her portrayal of the tortured dancer, as well as the requisitely beautiful feet and legs to show off those red shoes in sometimes fast, intricate footwork. Jack Ziesing gave a sensitive portrayal as her Lover and was plasticine pliant; his first love duet with May a sinuous melange of controlled, entwining lifts”.
Photography by Chris Herzfeld
REVIEW XS ENTERTAINMENT
Behind Closed Doors
Reviewed by Ruth Ridgway
Behind Closed Doors, QPAC 2017
25 May 2017
“Elise May is very moving in her role as The Lonely Woman, partnered by Benjamin Chapman as the memory or ghost of her lost partner. Their duo in their first appearance is fluid, poignant, and sad, with beautiful complex lifts executed almost in slow motion. The lyrical effect contrasts with the strength and control that the movement needs, but which is completely transcended.”
REVIEW THE CHRONICLE
Behind Closed Doors
Reviewed by Rae Wilson
QPAC Brisbane 21 May 2017
“Benjamin Chapman and Elise May, long-time EDC favourites, pull off a crafty piece of theatre as the dark man sinking into addiction and the lonely woman realising her love is slipping away. It’s obvious these two have worked together for years. They trust each other completely, allowing them to take the choreography to the next level… The strength and athleticism of EDC’s dancers, as always, are first class, showing human fragility through powerfully emotive dance. Their bodies illuminate the raw emotion of their characters, yet making complex lifts and manoeuvres seem effortless”.
SHIFTING LENSES: A MARRIAGE OF DANCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Interview Elise May with Matt Chilton - No Walls
"The installation was an immersive, engaging experience that was unlike anything I had ever seen before"
"Dancer Elise May partnered with animator Paul Van Opdenbosch to bridge the gap between physical and digital and create experiences that are entertaining and innovative. Their research uses technology and the body in new and interesting ways to create an entirely new audience and performer experience".
REVIEW QT ENTERTAINMENT
7 Deadly Sins
Review: Which Of Your Sins Is the Deadliest? by Rae Wilson
Expressions Dance Company 7 Deadly Sins August 2015
22 August 2015
“Jack Ziesing portraying gluttony and Elise May embodying lust proves a scintillating pairing – both dynamic and unapologetically honest in their sinful behaviour. Driven by a desire to consume more than one needs and a craving for the pleasures of the body, their ripped bodies heat up the Playhouse Theatre at QPAC. Writhing across the floor and contorting their bodies with stunning versatility, they give into their indulgent sins with little regard to anyone around them”.
REVIEW XS ENTERTAINMENT
7 Deadly Sins
Review by Ruth Ridgeway – XS Entertainment
“7 Deadly Sins” QPAC 2015
24 August 2015
“In this scene, May seems to represent Love, rather than the coldly seductive Lust she portrays earlier with awe-inspiring grace and control. In her gold costume, she looks like a princess from some ancient world”.
Click here to read the full review
REVIEW DANCE AUSTRALIA
7 Deadly Sins
Reviewed by Denise Richardson, QPAC August 2015
25 August 2015
“Elise May was mesmerising as Lust – wheeled onto centre stage, standing sarcophagus-like in her box, and swathed in a gold, she was hypnotic, sinuous and predatory”.
REVIEW DANCE AUSTRALIA
The Host
Reviewed by Denise Richardson
QPAC Cremorne, Brisbane
5 May 2015
“Elise May was likewise mesmerising with her finely nuanced portrayal of the betrayed Hostess. The multi-faceted tensions of her relationship with The Host were revealed in two beautiful duets of broad movement and controlled lifts. This is where Weir shines, as she takes the basic choreographic construct of contact improvisation and pushes it to dangerous extremes”.
REVIEW DANCE INFORMA
The Red Shoes
Reviewed by Emi Clayton
Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane
July 18, 2014
“Elise May’s performance of Victoria was perfection. She brought experience, maturity and grace to the role. May was versatile in the demanding role of Victoria, with the dream sequence as one of my favourite pieces”.
Photography by Chris Herzfeld
REVIEW XS ENTERTAINMENT
Carmen Sweet
Review by Xanthe Crowd – XS Entertainment
Carmen Sweet QPAC 2013
1 November 2013
“Elise May is the Cate Blanchett of Australia’s contemporary dance scene”.
“…Elise May is something else, drawing all eyes, regardless of what else is happening on stage and even when she is completely still. She is simply incredible to watch…”
REVIEW DANCE AUSTRALIA
Carmen Sweet
Review by Denise Richardson – Dance Australia
“Carmen Sweet” QPAC 2013
4 November 2013
“May is a wonderfully expressive dancer, able to embody both the fragile, as well as the strong and dominating. Physically taller than the others, she easily commanded the space with chiselled but sinuous movement, oozing smouldering tension”.
Click Here to Read Full Review
REVIEW THE AUSTRALIAN
When Time Stops
by Shaaron Boughen – ‘Kissed By Collisions of Context’
‘When Time Stops’ QPAC 2013
9 September 2012
“Elise May’s exquisite hovering between life and death in the “cardiac duet” demonstrated this mature artist’s striking and memorable emotional and physical control”.
ARTICLE THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
Australian Dance Awards
News Article with Stephen Bevis
3 September 2012
“Expressions dancer Elise May received the best female dancer prize for her performance in R&J, which was described as a brave and memorable showcase of her impressive physical strength”. Stephen Bevis
Photography by Chris Herzfeld
Click Here to Read Full Article
REVIEW DANCE AUSTRALIA
Where The Heart Is
Review by Denise Richardson
‘Where The Heart Is’ QPAC 2012
16 August 2012
“Elise May, as the Grandmother, again gives a restrained, beautifully nuanced performance, encapsulating both wisdom and physical frailty of age”.
Click Here to Read Full Article
REVIEW AUSSIE THEATRE
Where The Heart Is
Review by Bobbi-Lea Dionysius
Expressions Dance Company ‘Where The Heart Is’ 2010
15 August 2012
“The cast members each embodied their characters of the young man’s relatives and past loves, with a highlight being the grand-mother played by Elise May, who wonderfully portrayed a spirited yet elderly woman frustrated by the frailty of her failing body”. Bobbi-Lea Dionysius
Click Here to Read Full Article
REVIEW DANCE INFORMA
Launch Pad
Review by Belinda Adams ‘Brisbane Stages Contemporary Talent’
Expressions Dance Company Launch Pad 2012
20 February 2012
“Elise is a striking dancer with a clear talent and skill for this demanding art form. This was an edge of your seat piece that had you breathless from start to finish”.
Photography Fiona Cullen
Click Here to Read Full Article
REVIEW THE AUSTRALIAN
Solo Festival of Dance
Review by Shaaron Boughen
‘Soloists Keep It Short And Sweet’
Expressions Dance Company Solo Festival of Dance 2011
9 May 2011
“…and the surprise from EDC ranks is Samantha Mitchell’s interpretation of Elise May’s The Woman With Two Smiles. Mitchell’s performance blossomed with May’s choreographic dexterity in a humorous, reflective peek at female behaviour and attitude. May’s own performance in Vanessa Mafe’s Clipped was mature and sophisticated, showing the breadth of skills that this young artist has developed.”
Photography by Fiona Cullen
REVIEW THE AUSTRALIAN
‘Where The Heart Is’
Review by Shaaron Boughen
“Emotional journey is Natalie Weir’s forte, even if relentless in its intensity”
Expressions Dance Company ‘Where The Heart Is’ 2010
31 May 2010
“But it is in Elise May’s performance as the grandmother that we see Weir’s coupling of dramatic power and focus on investigation into human relationships at its most poignant. May traverses the cliche of the young dancer acting the old woman through the maturity and subtlety of her performance. Her dancing is beautiful and intelligent and encapsulates Weir’s intentions perfectly.”