Last Updated on December 20, 2024
Duck Pond: Grace, Chaos, and the Heart of a Classic Reborn
There’s an extraordinary magic to contemporary circus which I love; the way it balances raw physicality with delicate artistry – and few do it with the audacious finesse of Circa. This acclaimed Australian troupe, renowned for dismantling the conventions of traditional circus, made a thrilling return to London tonight at the Royal Festival Hall with their UK premiere of Duck Pond, a daring and whimsical fusion of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling directed by Yaron Lifschitz.
Founded in 1987 as Rock n’ Roll Circus, the company transformed into Circa in 2004 under the inspired leadership of Yaron Lifschitz. A visionary in contemporary performance, Lifschitz is dedicated to reimagining what circus can be, describing Circa’s mission as creating “circus that moves the heart, the mind, and the soul.”
Circa’s signature style blends movement, dance, theatre, and circus into a seamless fusion, blurring the lines between art forms to craft something entirely unique. Celebrated for their awe-inspiring performances and extreme physicality, the performers – masters of strength and grace, transform their bodies into powerful instruments of storytelling, prioritising intimacy and connection over spectacle. This bold commitment to innovation has firmly established Circa as a global leader in contemporary circus.
Beautifully and simply staged, Duck Pond opens in the palace on the eve of the Prince’s birthday, as revellers arrive light-footed and shimmering in black, sparkly bodysuits. Cupid makes a dramatic entrance, adorned in a fabulous black-and-white tutu with matching wings – a striking creation, one of many designed by the talented Libby McDonnell. The merriment unfolds in a dazzling display of acrobatics: bodies swinging, catching and tumbling through the air, forming breathtaking four high human towers, and gliding gracefully in seamless rolls. The choreography brims with energy and elegance, setting the tone for the spectacle to come.
The next scene bursts into playful chaos with a pillow fight, as Cupid mischievously sets the stage for a tender connection between the Ugly Duckling and the Prince, though she’s still finding her wings. Suddenly, the stage erupts with the arrival of the Duck Army, a dazzling swirl of yellow, sparkling flippers and humour, and jaw-dropping acrobatics, showcasing incredible feats of strength. Just as the energy peaks, the sequined Black Swan enters, her presence darkening the tone and drawing the Prince into a tangled and captivating love triangle. Enter a sea of white swans…
The absence of traditional costumes and sets shifts the focus entirely to the raw power of the human form, highlighted by Alexander Berlage’s ingenious lighting design and Jethro Woodward’s reimagined score, which flirts with Tchaikovsky’s familiar themes while carving out its own distinct path.
Impressive aerial displays, poise, agility, and the boundless energy of youth create a thoroughly modern circus experience, balancing on the edge of grace and anarchy. The performance feels both intimately human and gloriously otherworldly. Bodies twist and collide with astonishing precision, while the narrative ebbs and flows. Moments of breathtaking stillness are juxtaposed with explosive energy as the performers blur the lines between elegance and athleticism. While not every moment lands perfectly – there are a few sequences that feel more like filler than substance, Duck Pond is, overall, a masterclass in contemporary circus. It’s not Swan Lake as you know it, and that’s exactly the point. Instead, Circa offers something infinitely more visceral: a reawakening of the story’s primal core, told with bodies that seem to defy gravity, and a playfulness that ensures you’re never quite sure what’s coming next.
However, what seemed like the climax was not actually the end. In a rebellious twist, Lifschitz defies convention, breaking the fourth wall and unleashing controlled chaos. The cast of Duck Pond, in a state of undress, in skin-tone bodysuits, begin to pack up the theatre, performing playfully in boxes and embracing an anarchic riot of energy. It’s a moment of pure indulgence, teetering between poise and disorder, a fitting finale for a production that takes a beloved classic, strips it to its core, and rebuilds it with humour, heart, and a thrilling burst of mayhem. The final spectacle leaves the audience breathless, reminded that circus, like life, is never truly finished, always in motion, always on the edge of the unexpected.
Duck Pond is playing at the Royal Festival Hall from 19 to 30 December 2024
Duck Pond
Royal Festival Hall,
Southbank Centre,
Belvedere Rd,
London SE1 8XX
For more circus this Christmas, check out Revel Puck Circus in Walthamstow
Duck Pond - Circa - Royal Festival Hall Southbank - Review
There’s extraordinary magic to contemporary circus; balancing raw physicality with delicate artistry. Few do it with the finesse of Circa's Duck Pond.
Event Type: Event
Event Attendance Mode: OfflineEventAttendanceMode
Event Status: EventScheduled
Performer: Organization
Performer Name: Duckpond
Start Date: 2024-12-19 11:06
End Date: 2024-12-31 11:06
Availability: InStock
Availability Starts: 2024-12-19T11:06:33
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