Circa has announced the Melbourne season of its genre-defying Duck Pond, following a sold-out season at London’s Royal Festival Hall and a recently announced season at the Sydney Opera House. Playing at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from 14 January 2026, this mesmerising reimagining of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling unites classical ballet with contemporary circus in a breathtaking collision of artistry, acrobatics, and cheeky humour. Tickets are now on sale at duckpondmelbourne.com.au.
Champagne in hand. The lights go down. Suddenly — you’re swept into a glittering collision of ballet, circus and pure theatrical brilliance. Duck Pond is a spectacle built for sharing, equal parts romance and exhilaration. A story you thought you knew, re-told in a way you’ll never forget.
Created by Artistic Director and CEO Yaron Lifschitz, the 2025 recipient of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) Distinguished Artist Award, Duck Pond unites the romance and beauty of classical ballet with the daring spectacle of contemporary circus. With its soaring aerial artistry, masterful acrobatics, and the unrivalled skill of Circa’s ensemble, this extraordinary production is not to be missed.
As Australia’s most globally active performing arts company, Circa has captivated more than two million people across 45 countries and six continents. The Brisbane-based company has forged a distinguished reputation as elite and emotive performers, redefining expectations of circus as an art form.
Duck Pond is playing at the Sydney Opera House from 9 January and Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from 14 January 2026. Tickets are available from Thursday 4
September, 10 am at duckpondmelbourne.com.au
“Messing with Swan Lake is a risky business. You wouldn’t want to do that
unless you were a bit of a genius. It so happens Yaron Lifschitz is.”
– In Queensland, Australian Premiere 2023
Thoroughly entertaining. This circus mash-up of Swan Lake and The Ugly
Duckling is a seasonal treat.”
– Time Out, 2024
