London’s Southbank Centre’s promised spectacle for the end of 2024 brought together music, song, and astonishing acrobatics with the Australian circus company Circa.
Known for pushing the limits of traditional circus and performance, this December it offers the London audience a fresh look at classics. Inspired by Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling, Circa’s Duck Pond is crammed with eye-popping stunts, jaw-dropping aerials, rib-tickling comedy, and unexpected twists on the world’s most romantic ballet.
Wild, wacky and captivating
Turning to the classics is nothing new for Yaron Lifschitz, artistic director and CEO of Circa. Previously, he has spun Orpheus and Eurydice on its head and tied Beethoven’s Ninth in knots. His take on Tchaikovsky is a beautifully choreographed, at times chaotic, and at other times hypnotic triumph of physical form.
The result is a touching story that celebrates self-discovery and identity through feathers, sequined flippers, and world-class acrobatic skill. At the premiere, the 80-minute extravaganza received a standing ovation from the audience.
Brimming with heart-stopping moments
You will see numerous human chains, where ten fearless artists break off to create heart-stopping human towers – including one in which a single man supports four other acrobats.
After each move, the towers tumble, putting a whole new meaning to trust, as performers are caught in the arms of other acrobats. In another part of the show, a woman in high heels literally walks on a man’s bare body. The performance on a vertically hanging rope is equally astonishing.
It’s amazing how the same group of gymnasts switch from ballet dancers to superhumans capable of balancing another person on their shoulders. Both the men and women perform these feats effortlessly. If, like us, you are compelled by the question, ‘what is possible in circus?’, Circa’s Duck Pond is right up your street.
Duck Pond is on until December 30, 2024, at Royal Festival Hall, London. Tickets and more info can be found here.
Image credits: © Circa, Pia Johnson
