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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land, their spirits and their legacy. The foundations laid by these ancestors give strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations, both First Nations and non-First Nations peoples, towards creating a better Queensland.

  • …
  • Newsroom
  • 2023
  • Circa's Duck Pond ruffles feathers

Circa's Duck Pond ruffles feathers

Fri 15 Sept 2023

A collaboration between QPAC and internationally renowned contemporary circus company, Circa saw the world premiere of a brand-new production Duck Pond, pirouette and waddle into our Playhouse in July 2023.

A mind-blowing take on Swan Lake, Duck Pond is the reimagining of the world’s most romantic ballet as a thrilling circus epic showcasing Circa’s signature physicality and featuring haute couture costumes.

Circa’s Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz explained the inspiration behind the new circus work.

“I wanted to make something beautiful, funny, sophisticated and accessible; a kind of mythical unicorn that reaches across ages and artistic preferences,” said Yaron.

“I chose Swan Lake as the basis because it has everything – good and evil, black and white, and of course a lot of tutus. I reinterpreted the story to take place in the magical world of a film set and here among the glamour and romance we created Duck Pond, a fantastical circus mash-up bringing together the worlds of ballet, circus, film and theatre for an acrobatic spectacular.

“Duck Pond was created to captivate ballet, fairy tale and circus lovers alike, drawing upon the worlds of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling, as well as a variety of different acrobatic languages from the seductive burlesque Black Swan to the clowning of the sequin flippered Duck Army,” he said.

The production follows a successful history of collaborations between QPAC and Circa bringing acclaimed new circus works to Australian and international stages including Carnival of the Animals, Humans 2.0 and Peepshow.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the Centre was delighted to again support the creative vision and development of an original new circus work.

“Our collaboration with Circa spans more than a decade, from Carnival of the Animals to the most recent work ON, with celebrated premiere and return seasons at QPAC, as well as acclaimed international tours.

“Duck Pond certainly surprised and delighted audiences by turning a well-known ballet and fairy tale on its head, with Yaron’s imagination and choreography and Circa’s outstanding acrobats,” said Mr Kotzas.

Created by circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz with ten members of the globally renowned Circa ensemble, Duck Pond is one of Circa’s most ambitious works yet with costumes by Libby McDonnell, music by Jethro Woodward (with hints of Tchaikovsky) and lighting from Alexander Berlage.

Find out more about the creation of Circa's acclaimed Duck Pond in this behind-the-scenes video.

Keen to see more shows by Circa?

Circa & The Art of Fugue

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Circa & The Art of Fugue

5 Aug 2025, 7pm
Concert Hall

This extraordinary multi-artform experience combines Johann Sebastian Bach’s The Art of Fugue with contemporary acrobatics.

Cocteau’s Circle

Australian Chamber Orchestra Cocteau’s Circle

10 Nov 2025, 7pm
Concert Hall

Join the Australian Chamber Orchestra on an adventure to Paris as they close their 50th Anniversary National Concert Season with a night of celebration and surprise.

Carnival of the Animals by Circa

Rent Now
Digital Stage

Inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns' enchanting suite, this production by Circa transports you on a thrilling escapade through whimsical tales of creatures both on land and sea.

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