Swan Lake Like You’ve Never Heard – or Seen – Before

Published on 28 August 2025

Feathers will fly when Circa Contemporary Circus brings their breathtaking new production, Duck Pond, to Frankston Arts Centre on Thursday 2 October. This is Swan Lake as you’ve never imagined it – a riotous fusion of acrobatics, aerial artistry, cheeky humour and contemporary energy that takes the world’s most romantic ballet and flips it on its head.

Think sequinned flippers, a burlesque black swan, a quacking duck army, and gravity-defying feats that will leave you speechless. Touching, funny and utterly spectacular, Duck Pond is a dazzling tale of swans, hapless princes, and the universal quest for identity and finding your true self.

But behind the feathers and flips lies an equally thrilling element – its electrifying soundtrack, crafted by Melbourne-based Composer and Sound Designer Jethro Woodward, who has reimagined Tchaikovsky’s iconic score in bold and unexpected ways. A multi Green Room Award winner and Helpmann nominee, Woodward has worked with some of Australia’s leading major and independent companies.

A Score That Soars Beyond Tradition

“The original music from Tchaikovsky is woven into every moment of the score,” explains Woodward. To achieve this, he began by sampling various recordings of Swan Lake from records and CDs, carefully selecting sections that felt most connected to the production. “These moments – whether iconic or just deeply relevant – were cut, beat-matched, and built into sample libraries that I could then play like an instrument or drum machine,” he says.

This intricate process wasn’t just technical; it was a deep dive into the heart of the music. “While sampling, you really spend a lot of time listening and learning about that music,” Woodward notes. These Swan Lake breakbeats then became the foundation, layered with contemporary instrumentation – drums, drum machines, electric guitar, synths and pianos – to create a sound world that is both familiar and entirely new.

Building the World of Duck Pond

When composing, Woodward would often begin with a sampled Swan Lake rhythm, then search for a tempo and groove that could support the action and tell the story. “From there, I’d riff and jam on Tchaikovsky’s themes or create something completely fresh,” he says. The result? A bold, modern soundtrack that pulses with energy while paying homage to its classical roots.

Composing at Circus Speed

Circa is renowned for its fast-paced creative process, and Duck Pond was no exception. “Preparation is key,” says Woodward. “Before rehearsals, I develop a clear sense of instrumentation, colour palette and tone, so I can respond quickly as scenes and sequences emerge.” He often films rehearsals to refine and shape the music later in the studio.

As opening night approaches, his role shifts. “Right now, I’m doing a lot of mixing and final edits, breaking down the music into cues and vamps. Even though the score is recorded, playback needs to remain responsive to the action – because in live performance, anything can happen.”

One Last Question…

What’s a day in the life of a composer and sound designer? Woodward laughs: “It starts with coffee and ends with whisky…the rest is work.”

Don’t miss this exhilarating blend of music, movement and mischief when Duck Pond splashes down at Frankston Arts Centre for one show only on Thursday 2 October at 7.30pm. Tickets are available online or by calling 03 9784 1060.