DanceHouse and The Cultch present Circa's Duck Pond, January 22 to 25
Exhilarating show reimagines Swan Lake as a cheeky acrobatic spectacle in B.C. premiere at the Vancouver Playhouse
SPONSORED POST BY DanceHouse & The Cultch
Circa’s Duck Pond. Photo by Pia Johnson
DanceHouse and The Cultch present the B.C. premiere of Circa’s Duck Pond, on stage January 22 to 25, 2025 at 8 pm and January 25, 2025 at 2 pm at the Vancouver Playhouse. Directed by Circa’s artistic director and CEO Yaron Lifschitz, this vibrant full-length performance reimagines the world’s most romantic ballet, Swan Lake, as a cheeky acrobatic spectacle.
Accompanied by a tantalizing soundtrack by composer and sound designer Jethro Woodward, Duck Pond merges Tchaikovsky’s timeless score with contemporary percussive tracks and dance beats, launching characters from Swan Lake and “The Ugly Duckling” headfirst into an enchanting, topsy-turvy world of circus. The cast of 10 performers embody the pining prince, black swan, and yellow-billed duck-dancers through mesmerizing sequences of acrobatics, burlesque, and slapstick comedy.
Duck Pond balances physical daring with delicate artistry in a performance that Blue Curtains Brisbane has called “boldly dramatic in its chaos and also charmingly magical in its whimsy”. The show captivates audiences through stunning solos, dynamic duets, and outstanding performances by the entire ensemble. The result is a touching story that celebrates self-discovery and identity through feathers, sequinned flippers, and world-class acrobatic skill.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Circa back for the B.C. premiere of this bold and irreverent work,” says Jim Smith, artistic and executive director of DanceHouse, in a release. “Following the enthusiastic response from Vancouver audiences to their striking performance of Sacre in 2023, Duck Pond promises another unforgettable experience, combining Circa’s unique blend of theatricality, humour, and physical prowess in a spectacle brimming with magic and laughter.”
Circa’s Duck Pond. Photo by Pia Johnson
Heather Redfern, executive director of The Cultch, adds in the release that “Collaborating with DanceHouse each January to bring a new and exciting piece of circus to the Vancouver Playhouse has become one of the most anticipated highlights of The Cultch’s season. This partnership is something we truly look forward to, as it allows us to share innovative and boundary-pushing performances with both of our audiences.”
Circa Contemporary Circus is one of the world’s leading performance companies. Since 2004 from its base in Brisbane, Australia, Circa has toured the globe, performing in more than 45+ countries to nearly 2 million people. The company continues to push the boundaries of the art form, blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre, and circus. Compelled by the question “What is possible in circus?”, Circa is leading the way with a diverse range of thrilling creations that redefine limits.
After hitting the stage in Vancouver, Circa will continue the Canadian leg of its tour to Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City before heading to the U.S.
Duck Pond is co-commissioned by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre with 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. Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through Creative Australia—its principal arts-investment and advisory body—and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
For tickets to Circa’s Duck Pond and more information, visit DanceHouse.
Post sponsored by DanceHouse & The Cultch.
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