We find out what is being said Australian circus company Circa’s production which continues to run at the Southbank Centre until the 30th December.
Broadway World: ** “The programme notes call the show “neither quite circus nor ballet”. This sums up a show that struggles to find its identity; lacking the exhilaration and daring of good circus and the poise and strength of ballet. Circa have shown they can do much better. Hopefully next time they will succeed again.”
The Guardian: *** “Story-wise, director Yaron Lifschitz puts a couple of nice twists on the Swan Lake narrative but it lacks a big emotional payoff. Low-key lyricism, rather than transactional tricks for applause is Circa’s way and Duck Pond is a lovely show, with warmth, skill and some wow moments, but you can’t help feel it could do with a dash more pizzazz.”
The Reviews Hub: **** “Circa showcases an extraordinary ensemble of circus performers who exhibit remarkable strength and flexibility. The breathtaking aerial turrets, reaching impressive heights, are particular highlights where you can’t help but gasp, leaving you in awe. They demonstrate the performers’ sheer physical prowess by reaching the limits of human capability.”
Time Out: **** “Where the show really excels is the creation of a sense of danger. In artistic director Aron Lifschitz’s stage design, the ground is laden with black vinyl: the Swan Lake, covered in an oil spill. You can feel the hardness of the floor – and the risk involved – as performers dive through the air and catch themselves, seemingly at the very last monument.”
West End Best Friend: **** “A love letter to the capabilities of dance and performance, opening eyes to the beautiful art of circus, elevated by the cast’s prowess in musicality, Duck Pond, at its basis a mind-blowing combination of form and force, brings a somewhat unexpected depth and complexity of aesthetic to a concept that on the surface suggests bright and light.”
Theatre & Tonic: ** “To borrow a phrase, the show is neither duck nor fowl. It can’t decide how loosely it wants to adopt the combined plot, leaving us following a vague storyline that flips between pillow fights in court and a fun broom routine with some very cute ducks. And, while the guidance states this is suitable for “ages 5+”, one section is dedicated to watching a woman in stilettos walk her six-inch heels all over a supine man while the entirely unnecessary finale brings to mind the window displays in Amsterdam’s red light district.”
London Unattached: “The absence of traditional costumes and sets shifts the focus entirely to the raw power of the human form, highlighted by Alexander Berlage’s ingenious lighting design and Jethro Woodward’s reimagined score, which flirts with Tchaikovsky’s familiar themes while carving out its own distinct path.”
The Spy in the Stalls: **** “It is a wonder, without a doubt, and delightfully potty.”
Rachel Reviewed: **** “Telling the story of Swan Lake through circus acts is a bold and distinctive idea that works brilliantly. The storytelling is clear, structured, and utterly captivating. From the challenging acrobatics to the imaginative costumes to the playful interactions, every detail is intentional and true to the narrative, while adding their unique flair.”
To book tickets visit: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/circas-duck-pond/