Jay Shah
DevOps\Aerospace Engineer & Journalist
Jaysuits! The holidays might’ve wrapped, but don’t put away those sequins yet. If you thought Vancouver’s arts scene was slowing down after all that December magic, think again. We’re diving straight into a whirlwind of feathers, flips, and fantastic storytelling. 10 performers twirling, flipping, and balancing on the edge of what’s physically possible, all set to a score that blends Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet (SWAN LAKE) with some seriously punchy beats. – 2025 is ready to take flight with C!RCA’s:
“🦢DUCK POND🦢 ”
Imagine The Ugly Duckling grew up, hit the gym, and decided to moonlight as an acrobat. That’s Duck Pond in a nutshell (or should I say eggshell?). C!RCA, the Aussie circus masterminds behind this fully-feathered frenzy, are blending high-flying stunts with Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballad; but don’t expect it to stay classical for long. From pulsing beats to jaw dropping tumbles, this show quacks open the ballet we thought we knew and gives it a gravity-defying glow-up.
I mean, who needs pirouettes when you’ve got pirou-quacks? (eh, I try)
If your New Year’s resolution was to “try new things,” congratulations; THIS promises to be a wild ride.
Feathers, Flips & Full-On Fun – Here’s What’s in Store!
🦢
Vancouver’s arts scene has a knack for pulling off the unexpected and Duck Pond fits right into that sweet spot where daring meets delightful. If you caught Ballet BC’s Romeo + Juliet or Cirque du Soleil’s Alegría when they rolled through town, you’ll know the kind of electric energy I’m talking about. Here, CIRCA blends that same grandiosity with slapstick comedy and burlesque-level boldness.
Here’s what to expect:
- Gravity-defying stunts that’ll have you gripping your seat like your popcorn might take flight.
- Burlesque-level sass and slapstick that’ll have you laughing louder than the person next to you.
- A soundtrack that slaps – part Tchaikovsky, part thumping dance beats. Swan Lake with a modern twist that’ll get your head nodding. And I know a thing or two about classical music fellow BACH enjoyers
This isn’t a “sit back and politely clap” situation. The show practically dares you to lean in; to laugh, gasp, and maybe even cheer mid-act. And frankly, when’s the last time you saw a ballet where the prince kept finding himself in love triangles gone hilariously wrong? One moment you’re watching intricate aerials, and the next, a duck army in pantaloons stomps across the stage in perfect unison because:
Why not?
What sets this production apart isn’t just the acrobatics (although, trust me, they’re wild). It’s the way the entire experience feels like a celebration of the unexpected. Their ability to mix elegance with raw physicality makes for the kind of spectacle you’ll want to tell your friends & family about and with only a handful of performances, this one’s got “must-see” written all over it.
TRIVIA! ✨
Before Duck Pond flips it upside down (literally), let’s talk about the swan that started it all, all the way back to the turn of the 20th Century:
Swan Lake
Known as the quintessential ballet, it’s elegant, dramatic, and soaked in romance. But behind all the grace and grandeur, there’s a rich history packed with twists and surprises that make Circa’s wild reimagining even more fun to watch.
A Rocky Start:
Believe it or not, when Swan Lake premiered in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, it was kind of a flop. Critics weren’t feeling Tchaikovsky’s now-iconic score, and the choreography didn’t quite hit the mark. It wasn’t until 1895 (after Tchaikovsky’s death) that Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov reworked it into the version we know today – which, spoiler alert, became a masterpiece.
The Ultimate Love Triangle:
Swan Lake’s storyline has enough drama to make a soap opera blush. A prince falls for a cursed swan princess, but before they can live happily ever after, an evil sorcerer tricks him with a lookalike (cue the Black Swan moment). Circa takes this love triangle energy and turns it on its head, with a prince who’s constantly falling into hilarious romantic mishaps, all while soaring through the air.
Odette & Odile:
In the classic version, the lead ballerina plays both the white swan, Odette, and her dark twin, Odile. It’s one of the most challenging roles in ballet. Here, you’re more likely to see performers flipping between personas mid-air – swapping the drama for dizzying acrobatics and slapstick comedy.
Missed out on Chor Leoni’s Christmas concert or VIFF’s experimental theatre lineup? Consider this your next big chance to grab a front-row seat to something equally unforgettable
Beneath the Feathers – The Magic Behind Duck Pond’s Spectacle
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when ballet meets circus in the most extravagant way possible – you’re about to witness it firsthand. It’s a collision of worlds that thrives on pushing artistic boundaries and behind all the feathers and flips is a creative team that’s been spinning this vision into reality for months.
Circa’s Artistic Director, Yaron Lifschitz, describes the process as a mix of
“Beauty & Mayhem”
which feels fitting for a production that threads Tchaikovsky’s melodies through aerial stunts and sequined flippers. Lifschitz spent months choreographing and refining movements to blend the elegance of ballet with the raw power of circus performance. He isn’t afraid to “turn things on their head,” and with Duck Pond, he’s done exactly that
What makes this production unique is the way the performers have shaped the show. Each acrobat contributes to the storytelling, and the dramaturgy evolves with their strengths. There’s a “duck army” that moves with staccato precision, wearing pantaloons and flippers that shimmer under the lights – a nod to classical clowning traditions reimagined for a modern audience. The cast’s movements are stitched together by ballet choreographers, who seamlessly “sew the tricks” into a flowing narrative, much like the seamless transitions seen in classical productions like Swan Lake.
This experimental mash-up of styles isn’t unusual for Vancouver’s performance scene, which thrives on bold, innovative reimaginings. From re:Naissance’s boundary-pushing performances blending Opera with VR/XR, Vancouverites are no strangers to shows that challenge traditional formats. Duck Pond carries that same energy – balancing circus’s raw athleticism with the refined grace of ballet, resulting in a performance that feels both familiar and entirely unexpected.
Much like Bard on the Beach’s playful adaptations of Shakespeare earlier in summer, this production takes the bones of a classic and rebuilds it with humor, heart, and high-flying antics. It’s a rare gem that fits right into the city’s eclectic arts calendar; where experimental theatre projects and big-stage spectacles coexist beautifully.
Want to see what happens when tutus and trapezes collide? The team behind Duck Pond is ready to show you.
C!RCA – The Wizards Turning Circus into Pure Art
Jaysuits, if you haven’t crossed paths with C!RCA yet, let me fill you in – they’re the crew that takes circus, tosses out the rulebook, and somehow makes it even more magical. Hailing from Brisbane, this troupe has been everywhere, flipping and flying their way across 40+ countries, leaving behind audiences who aren’t sure if they just watched theatre, dance, or some gravity-defying hybrid that shouldn’t technically exist.
At the helm is Yaron Lifschitz – part director, part circus alchemist – and he’s been cooking up bold, high-flying art for over 20 years. Circa’s whole vibe is about stripping circus down to its raw, physical core and seeing how far the human body can go. They keep it sleek, sharp, and often kind of emotional – one minute you’re holding back tears, the next you’re wondering if you could pull off an aerial backflip in flippers (spoiler: probably not).
Circa has this way of taking something familiar – whether it’s Swan Lake or Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring – and spinning it into something totally unexpected.
If you caught SACRE at the Playhouse last year, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
SACRE
Here’s some insider trivia for the theatre buffs (or for those who like to flex their knowledge at intermission):
No Safety Nets Here
The acrobats performed complex lifts, balances, and drops, all relying entirely on each other’s strength and timing. There’s no faking it – every move is as real (and risky) as it looks.
The Original Riot Starter
When The Rite of Spring premiered in Paris in 1913, the audience basically went feral. Stravinsky’s jagged, dissonant score was so ahead of its time that people shouted, argued, and even brawled in the aisles. Nijinsky’s angular choreography only fueled the fire. Imagine a show so powerful that it physically divided a crowd – that’s the legacy Sacre tapped into.
Circa’s Bold Twist
Lifschitz has cranked the intensity to eleven by swapping ballet for acrobatics and leaving the stage stripped bare. No elaborate set. No frills. Just ten acrobats moving as one organism under a single spotlight, carving their way through themes of sacrifice, ritual, and transformation.
A Gym Session for the Soul
Lifschitz famously described Sacre as a show that feels like a hardcore workout – tough, unrelenting, but wildly rewarding. Audience members often left in silence, too stunned to clap until the very end. That’s the magic of Sacre.It engulfs you.
Custom Soundscape
Before Stravinsky’s iconic score kicks in, French composer Philippe Bachman sets the stage with a soundscape that’s part drumbeat, part alien hum. The music feels ancient and unsettling – like something crawling out of the earth itself. It perfectly primes the audience for the storm that follows.
If not, well… consider Duck Pond your official initiation.
🗓️
Don’t Duck Out – Here’s When & Where to Catch the Magic!
When:
- 🦢 January 22 – 25, 2025 at 8 PM
- 🌟 Special Matinee: January 25 at 2 PM
Where:
- 🎭 Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Tickets:
🎟️ If you’re ready to flock to the theatre, grab your tickets at dancehouse.ca – and do it soon, because much like premium breadcrumbs at a pond (okay I’ll stop..), these seats won’t last long!
✨ It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it affair with only five performances, so get in while the pond is warm!
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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.