Type – Fantasy, Dance, Circus, Physical theatre
If you liked – Swan Lake, The Ugly Duckling, Cirque Alice, Cirque du Soleil
Duck Pond: a breath-taking feat of strength, comedy, and dance
Walking into the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House, the lights dim and a single white feather appears against a black backdrop. You know immediately – you’re in for a treat.
Duck Pond presented by Brisbane-based contemporary circus group, Circa, is an innovative, breath taking fusion of dance, theatre, circus and acrobatics. This is not your traditional circus of tents and novelty acts (or cats). Instead, Circa delivers a refined, elevated physical theatre – imagine explosive jumps, flips, dives and throws executed from height, without harnesses or safety nets, relying solely on human strength, trust and grace.
A loose yet evocative retelling of Swan Lake meets The Ugly Duckling, this production unfolds through pure physical storytelling. From the outset, Circa’s performers make it clear they are not a conventional circus troupe. Their movement is precise, powerful and deeply connected, underpinned by years of elite training and discipline. Every landing feels intentional, every lift calibrated, every mid-air exchange dependent on absolute trust between the performers.
What makes Duck Pond so gripping is not just the physical risk, but the restraint behind it. Fearlessness gives way to control; spectacle is balanced with artistry. The troupe communicate emotion, character and narrative entirely through movement, creating moments that feel both thrilling and quietly intimate.
Adding a welcomed contrast of comedy and lightness; enter the ducks – quack, quack, quack – sporting bright orange beaks (via bright orange visors) and a wonderfully mischievous energy. More mistake-bound and mishap-prone than the elegant swans, these ducks bring warmth, humour and perfectly timed physical comedy. Their playful interruptions draw genuine laughter and offer contrast to the swans’ elegance.
The music is richly emotive, enhancing the storytelling without overpowering it. Each sequence flows seamlessly into the next, maintaining momentum across the tightly paced 75 minutes. The performers themselves radiate joy – smiles flicker across theirfaces, signalling not only technical mastery but genuine delight in what they are creating on stage.
The work bursts with stand out moments; the fairy tale godmother figure, adorned with striking black-and-white wings, commands the air with an awe-inspiring aerial sequence. The Black Swan dance is seductive and elegant, while the King Swan dazzles with seemingly effortless athleticism and control.The highlight of the evening for me, however, is a blue ribbon aerial performance – utterly beautiful, magical, and a reminder of why contemporary circus, at its best, can be so moving.
Is DUCK POND Worth Seeing in SYDNEY?
If there is one criticism, it is simply this: Duck Pond ends far too soon. For lovers of innovative and contemporary performance, physical storytelling, breath taking feats of strength, balance, trust and awe-inspiring agility – this is the show for you.
Tickets and Practical Info for DUCK POND in SYDNEY 🎟️
Sydney Opera House presents Duck Pond By Circa
Created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble
Performance runs for approximately 75 minutes with no interval.
Creatives:
Director, Stage Design: Yaron Lifschitz
Composer and Sound Designer: Jethro Woodward
Costume Designer: Libby McDonnell
Lighting Designer: Alexander Berlage
Associate Director: Marty Evans
Dramaturg/Associate Choreographer: Rani Luther
Voice Over Artist: Elise Greig
Resident Director: Eve Beck
Cast: Asha Colless, Maya Davies, Jordan Hensley-Twartz, Lucy Hunterland, Gerramy Marsden, Anisa Monsour, Clara Scudder-Davis, Sophie Seccombe, Tristan St John, Anais Stewart-Long, Adam Strom, Darby Sullivan, Rose Symons, Harley Timmermans
Circa’s Duck Pond is currently playing at the Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall until Monday 12 January.
The show tours to Melbourne (Princess Theatre, Jan 14-25) and the Gold Coast (HOTA, Mar 6-7) before commencing a regional tour of WA in late March.
