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“It was an absolute feast for the eyes and ears, with impressive choreography, skilled dancing and a wide variety of musical pieces. Micha
el Mao offered us ‘Lorca Libre’ – some fantastic performances based on the poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca including my favourite of the afternoon, ‘Son de Negros en Cuba, and ‘China Moves’, a complicated but dazzling example of dance centred around kinetic forces, showcasing the partnership between Mao and Huang Ruo – a prize-winning composer with some intriguing and unique pieces.
The simple set worked wonderfully, with the performances complementing but not distracting from the movements of the talented dancers – the lighting in particular was amazing.”
EICC, 12-15 Aug, 2.30 pm
WITTEN BY SARAH COOKE | 14 AUGUST 2010
“There is depth to the presentational qualities of the artists and it is a relief to be reacquainted with virtuosity. In Lorca Libré, each movement is infused with feeling. There is length in all extensions; reach in every tilt. The choreography gains even more powerful breadth when the three girls enter with sweeping shawls. The piece then continues to build to a flirtatious end as the dancers playfully respond to each other, step complementing step. China Moves: Phase 1 contrasts frivolity with tension and strangeness. It begins with the girls convulsing as their bodies become instruments that function in perfect synchronicity with the music. The males later appear as strong individuals executing crazy, obscure dance sequences. It is tantalising in its peculiarity.”
Posted by Laurin Campbell, Sun 15 Aug 2010
“...Featuring moments of beauty... Michael Mao Dance’s Weaving is a showpiece, its excitement and athleticism compounded by relentless Kobos [sic] drums.”
Posted by Amanda Grimm, Sat 14 Aug 2010
“The award-winning Michael Mao's contribution includes the world premiere of China Moves, a complex and mesmerising dance mirrored by music of modern composer Huang Ruo.”
EICC, 12-15 Aug, 2.30pm
“Michael Mao has a great feel for drama and music and shows this in Lorca Libre, set to songs by poet and playwright Frederico Garcia Lorca and delivering tragedy, passion and celebration. Mao‘s storytelling flair and musicality is still very much in evidence. His second piece, China Moves (Phase I) again used his talent for creating skillful patterns deeply rooted in the music. The piece is full of character.”
By Danielle Farrow 12-15 Aug, 1430 (1530) @ Venue 150, EICC
“Mao has a feel for drama and strong musicality, bringing us passionate and high quality choreography.”
By Danielle Farrow 19-22 Aug, 1400 (1530) @ Venue 150, EICC
“Michael Mao Dance opens the show with Weaving, a strikingly powerful modern dance quartet with a tribal edge. Here, both men and women display their power as they command the stage with their physicality and athleticism. The dancers kick, spin, leap and cartwheel to create a frenzy of strength and technique. The energy exerted by the company is palpable and, as the piece reaches its climax, the audience is left eager for more.” Posted by Laurin Campbell, Wed 18 Aug 2010
“Michael Mao Dance closed the show with a particularly powerful section of animalistic choreography, complete with an urgent, drum-heavy soundtrack.”
published: Aug-2010 [Emily Gorton]
Mao's impassioned, dynamic 'Lorca Libre' and subtly patterned 'China Moves' bring dancers streaming across the stage chasing and lifting each other... complex choreographic diversity and multiplicity.”
published: Aug-2010 [Dora Petherbridge]
“Michael Mao Dance’s Weaving – a ritualistic piece, including bird and beast elements, to Japanese drumming, colourful and dramatic.”
By Danielle Farrow 17 – 22 Aug, 1600 (1700) @ Venue 150, EICC
“Finally, we end with the power 
house performers of Michael Mao Dance. Weaving is a strong, feisty work, combining pounding drums with a multicultural sensibility, driving towards a strong sense of conclusion. Mao's dancers move with a lithe assuredness, creating tension and drama as well as some beautiful shapes.” EICC, 8-15 Aug, 4pm
WRITTEN BY CAROLINE WHITHAM | 15 AUG 2010
