Duck Pond by Circa transforms Swan Lake into a bold, joy-filled circus spectacular that splashes feathers, acrobatics and fairy‑tale mischief across the Melbourne stage. Instead of classical swans in rigid lines, Duck Pond invites you into a world of daring human towers, sequinned ducks and a story that moves from laugh‑out‑loud chaos to unexpectedly tender.
Duck Pond: Swan Lake Reimagined as Circus
Duck Pond is created by Circa Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble, reimagining Swan Lake as a 70–75 minute, no‑interval burst of contemporary circus, dance and physical theatre. The familiar themes of transformation, belonging and love are still at the heart of the story, only now they are told through balances on shoulders, spirals through the air and the physical language of circus.
There is a clear narrative spine – an “ugly duckling” of sorts, swans, a prince and a world where things keep slipping deliciously off‑kilter – which gives each set piece emotional weight rather than feeling like disconnected acts. This structure makes Duck Pond feel more cohesive than many abstract circus works, inviting audiences to invest in the characters as much as the feats.
Feathers, Flips and Sequinned Ducks
Visually, Duck Pond leans fully into theatrical fantasy: glittering swans, flipper‑clad ducks and a stage that keeps shifting beneath the performers. Costume designer Libby McDonnell drenches the ensemble in feathers, sequins and witty details, giving each character – from elegant swans to bumbling ducks – a distinctive silhouette and attitude.
One of the show’s most gleeful turns is a full takeover by sequinned ducks, complete with flippers, yellow accents and comic choreography that sends the stage into joyful anarchy. Set against Jethro Woodward’s score, which threads Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake themes through contemporary textures, these scenes become a love letter to circus, comedy and the sheer ridiculousness of being human.
Circa’s ensemble and creative team
Circa is recognised as one of the world’s leading contemporary circus companies, having toured to more than 45 countries and performed to close to two million people, and Duck Pond springs from that depth of experience. The ensemble flows between hand‑to‑hand acrobatics, aerial apparatus, tumbling, dance and clowning with a musicality that makes the entire piece feel precisely choreographed down to the smallest look and gesture.
The creative team includes Yaron Lifschitz (direction and staging), Jethro Woodward (music and sound design), Alexander Berlage (lighting) and Libby McDonnell (costume and associate direction), whose combined work creates a vivid, constantly moving world. Lighting shifts from moody twilight to bold, saturated colour, while sound swings between echoes of Tchaikovsky and modern cinematic swells that drive each emotional beat.
Duck Pond Melbourne – Swan Lake Circus at Princess Theatre
The Melbourne season of Duck Pond Princess Theatre Melbourne brings this Swan Lake circus into one of the city’s most iconic heritage theatres. The Princess Theatre is the oldest surviving entertainment site on mainland Australia, first established in 1854 and rebuilt in 1886, its ornate Second Empire façade and plush interior offering a striking contrast to Circa’s contemporary style.
Located at 163 Spring Street in the East End Theatre District, Princess Theatre’s grand staircase, intricate plasterwork and 1,452‑seat auditorium set the scene for a night that feels like an event before the lights even dim. Seeing Duck Pond Melbourne – Swan Lake circus at Princess Theatre – amplifies the sense of tradition meeting reinvention; it is as if Swan Lake’s legacy has been invited back into a grand house, only this time it has come dressed in sequins and ready to play.
Finding joy at every age: the “girls with wings”
Life after Melbourne: where Duck Pond splashes next
Duck Pond’s themes of transformation, courage and belonging seem to ripple beyond the stage and into the audience. Among the pre‑show crowd were two fabulously dressed, mature women wearing wings, fully embracing the Duck Pond spirit and Melbourne’s theatre‑night energy.
Their presence was a reminder that play, style and shared experiences are not bound by age; they are choices, available every time we say yes to dressing up and showing up. In many ways, they felt like real‑world reflections of Duck Pond’s message – that embracing your inner “ugly duckling” can be the most beautiful and liberating thing you do.
Life after Melbourne: where Duck Pond splashes next
Duck Pond at Princess Theatre Melbourne is a strictly limited season, but the production itself has a rich touring life beyond the city. Circa lists Duck Pond as part of its active touring repertoire, with seasons at Australian venues such as Pilbeam Theatre Rockhampton, Empire Theatre Toowoomba and The Events Centre Caloundra, as well as appearances at HOTA Gold Coast and Auckland Arts Festival.
This means Duck Pond will continue surfacing in new cities and festivals after Melbourne, offering fresh audiences the chance to encounter its feathers, flips and fairy‑tale chaos. The best way to stay up to date on future Duck Pond Princess Theatre‑style seasons is to follow Circa’s channels and keep an eye on local venue programs as new dates are announced.
Duck Pond: A Joy‑Soaked Swan Lake Circus in Melbourne
Duck Pond: A joy‑soaked Swan Lake circus in Melbourne is exactly the kind of night out that reminds you why live performance matters. Between the virtuosic ensemble, the playful design and the grandeur of Princess Theatre, it is an experience that sends you back into the city feeling lighter, braver and a little more in love with Melbourne.
“Duck Pond at Princess Theatre reminded me that joy is an energy we choose – from the fearless Circa ensemble onstage to the two winged women in the foyer, it felt like an invitation to keep dressing up, laughing loudly and embracing Melbourne’s magic at every age.”
“I really liked Duck Pond. I watched it with bated breath until the very end. It was quiet, but everyone had a very powerful energy. A subtle, thoughtful energy that was beautifully contained within the circle. Everyone seemed to be breathing softly and silently, as if to themselves, and there was a deep, remarkable coordination.”
To plan your own night by the “pond”, start here:
- Duck Pond Melbourne tickets and info: duckpondmelbourne.com.au
- Princess Theatre details and bookings: marrinergroup.com.au/shows/duck-pond
- Circa Contemporary Circus (follow for future shows and updates): circa.org.au
Duck Pond by Circa – Melbourne Show FAQ
What is Duck Pond by Circa?
Duck Pond by Circa is a contemporary circus reimagining of Swan Lake, combining acrobatics, dance, comedy and storytelling into a 70–75 minute, no‑interval show.
What is Duck Pond at Princess Theatre Melbourne?
Duck Pond at Princess Theatre Melbourne is the Melbourne season of Circa’s Swan Lake circus, staged in the historic Princess Theatre in the city’s East End Theatre District.
How long does Duck Pond run at the Princess Theatre?
Duck Pond runs for approximately 70–75 minutes with no interval, making it a compact and high‑intensity evening experience.
When is Duck Pond on in Melbourne?
Duck Pond plays at Princess Theatre Melbourne in a strictly limited season, with current dates, times and ticket availability listed on the official Duck Pond Melbourne and Marriner Group pages.
Where is the Princess Theatre in Melbourne?
The Princess Theatre is located at 163 Spring Street, Melbourne, in the East End Theatre District, close to Parliament Station and several tram routes.
Who created Duck Pond?
Duck Pond is created by Circa Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble, with music by Jethro Woodward, costumes by Libby McDonnell and lighting by Alexander Berlage.
Is Duck Pond suitable for families?
Duck Pond offers broad appeal with its mix of circus spectacle, humour and heart; audiences should check the official Melbourne listing for any specific age recommendations before booking.
Will Duck Pond tour after Melbourne?
Yes, Duck Pond continues touring after Melbourne, with seasons at Australian venues including Pilbeam Theatre Rockhampton, Empire Theatre Toowoomba and The Events Centre Caloundra, as well as further dates such as HOTA Gold Coast and Auckland Arts Festival.
How can I follow Circa and keep up with future shows?
You can follow Circa by visiting circa.org.au and using their links to social channels, where they share tour announcements, behind‑the‑scenes content and updates on Duck Pond and other productions.
Disclaimer: Glamorazzi representatives Roslyn Foo and Sebnem Gencer attended the opening night of Duck Pond on 15th January 2026 at The Princess Theatre, invited by GoodHumans PR. All opinions expressed are our own.
