Australian Ballet 2016 season

Combining acrobatics, aerial artistry and truly spectacular visuals, Duck Pond pulls apart one of the world’s most famous ballets and rebuilds it into a one-of-a-kind production, sparkling with wit and wonder.  Presented by homegrown circus innovators Circa in collaboration with House of Oz, the show fuses Swan Lake withThe Ugly Duckling, borrowing the magic of both stories before turning them inside out. Audiences can expect a dazzling production of swans and hapless princes, with traditional ballet broken up by moments of body-contorting acrobatics, slapstick comedy and an original score by Jethro Woodward, remixed with a heavy trap beat. Libby McDonnell’s costumes infuse the production with flair and whimsy, transforming the beloved characters into sequinned ducks and a burlesque black swan. The show has lifted curtains in Brisbane, London, Vancouver and wowed audiences at the Sydney Opera House where it comes directly from. Now, it’s taking over Melbourne’s majestic Princess Theatre for a limited run this January, with Circa’s artistic director Yaron Lifschitz at the helm.  Experience the romantic ballet like never before as it plays from January 14-25 with 2pm and 7pm showings. Tickets range from $69.90 to $174.90. Get yours here. Duck Pond is presented by House of Oz and Circa.

If you’re looking for a magical night out in the city, the neon-lit Maho Magic Bar is back after sold-out shows and rave reviews from their 2023 season in Chinatown, and this time it’s found a new home at Melbourne’s new entertainment hub, Spiegel Haus. Inspired by Japan’s rich history with magic, this immersive 60-minute experience comes from Broad Encounters (the team behind A Midnight Visit) and brings a line-up of magician superstars direct from Japan, performing a mix of brand-new tricks and audience favourites.  From November 25, step into the whimsical cocktail bar and be whisked away to Tokyo where expert magicians perform up-close magic alongside delicious cocktails. There's no stage for the performers here as the intimate show will take place right at your table, where you'll assist the magicians in their bamboozling sleight-of-hand magic. Japan’s best magicians will surprise and delight visitors, incorporating debonair storytelling, mind-blowing illusions and kawaii charm. While you enjoy the show, you can order from a menu of bespoke cocktails mixed by a Japanese master mixologist. Or if you're after a more traditional libation, try authentic Japanese sake, whisky, shochu and rare spirits like umeshu.  If you're prepared to be dazzled, this experience will surely do the trick. Maho Magic Bar is performing multiple shows a day between Tuesdays and Sundays with adult shows (recommended for ages 12+) in the evening and family-friendly matinees. Book a ticket, a...