Four bare-chested men lift a woman in a black tutu above their heads against a plain background, with black feathers falling around them. The woman’s hair is flying upward, and she is smiling.

A group of acrobats in white bodysuits perform on stage in front of tall curtains. Several support one acrobat mid-air as others reach up, capturing a moment of a choreographed jump or lift.

Three aerial performers in black and white bodysuits balance on a suspended hoop against a dark blue curtain backdrop, with one person hanging upside down and the other two holding poses above.

Three aerial performers in white bodysuits use blue silk fabrics for an acrobatic routine on stage, with blue curtains and dramatic lighting in the background.

Circa

Duck Pond

Fri 30 - Sat 31 Oct 2026

Venue: Festival Theatre

The enchantment of Swan Lake, the thrill of the circus, with humour, panache and, of course, feathers.

Feathers will fly in Circa’s exuberant take on Swan Lake.

The world’s most romantic ballet is re-imagined as a circus spectacular, full of Circa’s signature physicality and shot through with cheeky humour and a thoroughly contemporary energy.

Be swept away by this tale of swans and hapless princes sparkling with quirky touches like the sequinned flipper-wearing duck army and a burlesque black swan. There are sumptuous aerials, jaw-dropping acrobatics and of course feathers! Touching, funny and utterly entertaining, Duck Pond is a tale of identity and finding your true self.

“A masterful presentation of exhilarating talent”
Standing Innovation
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“The acrobatics are awe-inspiring”
The Irish Times
★ ★ ★ ★

"Swan Lake as you’ve never seen it before”
The Times
★ ★ ★ ★

“Thoroughly entertaining"
Time Out
★ ★ ★ ★

Aerial performer in a black, sparkling bodysuit does a split whilst suspended on a trapeze with long, black straps. Vertical grey curtains hang in the background.

Seven acrobats in white bodysuits perform onstage; six support one person standing on their hands, balancing with one leg raised vertically, against a backdrop of vertical striped curtains.

Hear what audiences thought of Duck Pond

A person performs a handstand split on stage in front of tall, purple curtains. The stage floor reflects their image, and the lighting creates a dramatic effect.

Five dancers perform on stage in front of tall, pleated red curtains. Four dancers in black outfits lift or catch a dancer in a light-coloured costume who is airborne above them.

A group of performers in black outfits stand on stage in front of gold curtains. Two acrobats balance at the centre, with one holding another upside down high above their head.

Yaron Lifschitz

Director, Stage Design

Jethro Woodward

Composer and Sound Designer

Libby McDonnell

Costume Designer

Alexander Berlage

Lighting Designer

Marty Evans

Associate Director

Rani Luther

Dramaturg/Associate Choreographer

Elise Greig

Voice Over Artist

Performance details

Show times: Evening; 7.30pm; Matinee; 2.30pm
Running time: 75 minutes, no interval
Age suitability: Suitable for all ages

Discounts

Friends 20% off
Read more about the Friends discount

Concessions £3 off

Accessibility information

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It’s the night before the Prince’s birthday. The palace is full of friends, prospective partners, and assorted revellers engaged in acrobatically infused merriments. A pillow fight mishap stops the fun.

Cupid guides the Prince to meet the Ugly Duckling. They fall improbably in love. Their infatuation is elaborated in acrobatic duets.

But reality intrudes. A humble duck and a royal prince? It could never work. The Ugly Duckling is consoled by a Duck Army.

Then the Black Swan arrives, all sequins and heels. The Prince is instantly smitten and chooses her as his partner. Everyone’s invited back for the ball.

A lake. Swans above and below.

The Ugly Duckling, Prince, and Black Swan circle each other. Abandoned, the Ugly Duckling throws herself into the swans. She flies. Turns out she’s been a swan all along.

The Black Swan appears and seduces everyone. She chooses the White Swan. The Prince is left confused and alone.

Friends and revellers return to celebrate the union. The Prince wonders what could have been. The swans head into the sunset together.

Further credits

Duck Pond is co-commissioned by QPAC and The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, The Art House Wyong, Frankston Arts Centre, HOTA – Home of the Arts, Merrigong Theatre Company and Orange Civic Theatre. Footage of brutal swan fight used with the kind permission of Carl Bovis.

Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

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Duck Pond

Feathers will fly in Circa’s exuberant take on Swan Lake.

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