Circa artistic director Yaron Lifschitz on bringing 'Duck Pond' to London's Southbank Centre

Inspired by Swan Lake and The Ugly Ducking, Circa's Duck Pond combines ballet and circus to create an incredible feast for the eyes. LondonTheatre.co.uk caught up with artistic director Yaron Lifschitz.

Australian circus company Circa has performed in more than 45 countries to nearly 2 million people since it was first set up from its base in Brisbane in 2004. Pioneering an approach that pushes the limits of circus and performance, Circa is now bringing its talents to London's Southbank Centre with a mash-up of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling. Artistic director Yaron Lifschitz reveals why Duck Pond is unmissable this festive season.

What was your inspiration for blending Swan Lake with circus performance to create Duck Pond?

The inspiration for Duck Pond came from a desire to reimagine a classic tale through the lens of contemporary circus. Swan Lake is a story rich with themes of transformation and beauty, somewhere it connected with the story of The Ugly Duckling – both focus on birds and tales of identity and emergence. The idea was to take the elegance and narrative depth of Swan Lake and infuse it with the physicality and daring of circus, creating a fresh and unexpected experience for the audience.

Could you discuss the role that humour plays in the production?

Duck Pond mixes the romantic and the humorous. It is an all-ages rom-com with its meet-cute moment and an army of ducks in sequined flippers. I wanted to lighten the story a bit and make it accessible for all ages, as well as festive.

Circa’s productions are renowned for their impressive physicality and acrobatic feats. What unique physical challenges did Duck Pond present?

It was a challenge integrating the grace of ballet with the dynamic energy of circus. This required our performers to not only master complex acrobatic skills but also to channel the fluidity and poise of ballet without ever falling into parody. The result is a seamless blend of movement that pushes the boundaries of both disciplines.

How did your collaboration with composer Jethro Woodward and costume designer Libby McDonnell help to shape the show?

They are long time collaborators – talented, open and curious. Jethro's music brings an emotional resonance to the show, blending classical motifs with contemporary sounds to create a rich auditory landscape. Libby's costumes add visual flair and character, enhancing the narrative through their design and movement. Together, their contributions help to create a cohesive and immersive world that supports the story's emotional journey.

Circa frequently tours shows internationally. How have audience responses shaped the show’s evolution?

We learn from each season. The premiere season at Queensland Performing Arts Centre was a huge success – ballet audience, theatre audiences, and circus audiences all came. I’ve never seen such a diverse range of backgrounds and ages. From there and on tour we are always refining, exploring, and developing. For Southbank we are adding seven extra performers, so that is a huge change.

You’ve mentioned wanting Duck Pond to be “sophisticated and accessible.” How did you balance these qualities to appeal to a wide-ranging audience?

We are a circus – we are great at balancing things!

What is the one thing you hope audiences take away from this contemporary interpretation of Swan Lake?

I hope audiences leave Duck Pond with a sense of joy and wonder, inspired by the beauty of transformation and the power of embracing one's true self. This interpretation is a celebration of creativity and individuality, and I hope it encourages people to see the world —and themselves — in a new light.

Book Circa’s Duck Pond tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Yaron Lifschitz. (Photo by Jade Ferguson). Inset: photos by Pia Johnson