Circa’s Duck Pond Review: A Circus Reimagining of Swan Lake at the Princess Theatre

CIRCA’s Duck Pond has arrived at the Princess Theatre Melbourne, offering a breathtaking reimagining of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling. This genre-defying production unites the elegance of classical ballet with the daring spectacle of contemporary circus.

Renowned Australian contemporary circus company CIRCA once again demonstrates why they are world leaders in physical theatre. Duck Pond combines soaring aerial artistry, heart-stopping acrobatics, and CIRCA’s signature playful humour, all executed with flawless precision by a world-class ensemble.

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This is Swan Lake, but reimagined. Expect sequinned ducks, a burlesque Black Swan, an unhappy Prince, and a story that gently overturns tradition. Filled with feathers, beauty and transformation.

Under the direction of Yaron Lifschitz, Circa combines humour, sensuality and raw athleticism to deliver a production that feels fresh and distinctly contemporary.

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The Story: Three Acts of Transformation

Act One: The Palace

On the eve of the Prince’s birthday, the palace buzzes with celebration. Acrobatically infused revelry erupts into a chaotic pillow fight, feathers flying everywhere, before Cupid intervenes. The Prince meets the Ugly Duckling, and against all odds, they fall in love through beautifully crafted acrobatic duets.

Reality soon intrudes. A royal prince and a humble duck? Enter the Duck Army for comic consolation, before the glittering Black Swan storms in, all heels and sequins. The Prince is instantly enchanted, and the stage is set for the ball.

Act Two: The Lake

At the lake, swans soar above and below. The love triangle deepens as the Prince, Ugly Duckling and Black Swan circle one another. Abandoned, the Ugly Duckling dives into the swans and flies. She was a swan all along.

Seduction, confusion and heartbreak follow. The Black Swan chooses the White Swan, leaving the Prince alone as the swans disappear into the sunset together.

Act Three: The Theatre

The final act is the most unexpected. Duck Pond strips everything back, offering a raw, behind-the-scenes glimpse of the performers themselves. It’s an intimate and fascinating ending that highlights the sheer talent and discipline behind the production.

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What I thought

From the very first moment, the talent on stage is breathtaking. The performers make the impossible look effortless, bodies flying through the air with ease, human towers forming without hesitation, and acrobatic duos executing heart-stopping throws with complete trust and precision.

The aerial work, particularly the ribbon routines performed by both the women and men, is elegant and fluid. At times, it’s so seamless you forget to clap, simply stunned by how easy they make it look.

There’s plenty of humour too. The Duck Army provides laugh-out-loud moments, while the chaotic pillow fight fills the stage with feathers.

Duck Pond is created by Yaron Lifschitz with the Circa Ensemble, and features an outstanding creative team including composer Jethro Woodward, costume designer Libby McDonnell, and lighting designer Alexander Berlage.

Circa’s Duck Pond at the Princess Theatre will appeal to audiences who enjoy circus, ballet, or well-crafted live performance. The production balances humour and emotion with inventive physical storytelling. I would recommend it for children aged 10 and over.

CIRCA Duck Pond
Now playing at the Princess Theatre Melbourne until 25 January 2026

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