‘Extravagant’ ‘Duck Pond’ immerses all-ages audience in fairy-tale acrobatics

Circa’s shows, known for their minimalistic approach, explore various themes about the human condition and human interaction through acrobatics. But “Duck Pond,” with its extravagant sets, costumes and clear storyline, follows an outcast through a tale of love, heartbreak and self-identity.

Created by Yaron Lifschitz and Australia’s Circa ensemble, “Duck Pond” reimagines the stories of “Swan Lake” and “The Ugly Duckling” by combining circus, theater and dance into an exciting performance for all ages.

“‘Duck Pond’ is, on some level, a family show,” said Eve Beck, the show’s resident director. “There are scenes that are funny and humorous for children, and then there are darker and more seductive tones to the show as well.” 

Zachery Stephens, who plays the Prince, said there’s not a lot of younger people who go to the ballet or the orchestra anymore. 

“[We] wanted to create something that allowed a bit more engagement with youth, as well as being able to link that to older generations,” Stephens said.

“‘Duck Pond’ really is the first kind of show that Circa’s done that really plays around with a through line, with principal roles and principal characters,” he said. “It’s extravagant. It’s a lot. But it’s a lot of fun.” 

This is the third time Circa has visited Eisenhower Auditorium, following the shows “Opus” in 2015 and “Humans” in 2020.
 

Grand-scale vs intimate spectacle

Stephens said the comparison between Circa and Canadian contemporary circus company Cirque du Soleil is the comparison between film and theater. 

“Film, or Cirque du Soleil, is about spectacle,” Stephens said. “Everything from the budget of their stage … to the monumental scale of their acts. [Circa, on the other hand], is grounded in more nuance and intimacy and tender moments between people and acrobats.” 

“It's really just a comparison based on the grandiosity of their work and the really minor, more intricate things that we do,” he said. 
 

‘Legacy in circus is quite interesting’

Founded in 1987, Circa is home to a long line of acrobats. 

“Legacy in circus is quite interesting, because we don’t have a classical repertoire in the same way that a lot of other performing art forms do,” acrobat and ensemble member Adam Strom said. “Every time, it’s new, and yet there is a sort of through line or history of the circus.” 

Circa has 31 members in its ensemble, ranging in age from 20s to 40s. 

“The skills and repertoire that the older acrobats at Circa have worked really hard to develop have made their way all the way down to the newest members of [Circa],” Stephens said. “Contemporary circus is a building block of people dedicating their careers to refining something, and then the new generation takes that, adopts it and puts their own twist on it.”

Strom said the circus gets its legacy through its movement. 

“The movement itself is such a peculiar form,” Strom said. “Learning to juggle five balls is a strange thing to do. And yet someone’s done it, and someone’s taught someone else to do it.” 

Circa will perform “Duck Pond” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22, in Eisenhower Auditorium. Visit Circa online for more information and to purchase tickets. 

Alex Fischer is a communications intern for the Center for the Performing Arts.