Clare Della and the Moon
A poetic journey through anxiety, friendship, and outer space.
by Madness of Two
Performance touring as part of the 2026 Touring Program
Drama | Personal and Social Capability
Claire Della and the Moon is a gentle powerful theatre work for young audiences that uses metaphor, music, puppetry and striking visual design to explore mental health in an accessible and emotionally resonant way.
Claire Della doesn’t quite fit in. The world feels too loud, too fast, too confusing – a place which doesn’t understand her and which she doesn’t understand. So, Claire builds a ladder and retreats to the quiet, lonely safety of the Moon. There, she meets Laika – a bold, brash space dog with a complicated past – and the two form an unlikely friendship. But when Claire’s link back to Earth is broken, the pair must work together to help her find her way home.
At its core, the story is about learning to sit with difficult feelings, asking for help, and reconnecting with the world around you. Claire’s journey is not about being “fixed,” but about finding balance – acknowledging that sadness and joy can coexist.
Claire Della and the Moon was created by award winning theatre makers Ellen Graham and Jamie Hornsby, in close consultation with child psychologist Simon Andrews. From the outset, the goal was to create a show that supported young people in navigating their emotional lives without resorting to clinical or stigmatising language or overt messaging. The play won two AWGIE Awards from the Australian Writers’ Guild, including the David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre, and has toured to major festivals and regional communities across South Australia and Western Australia.
Other details
Madness of Two is a South Australian theatre company founded by award-winning theatre-makers Ellen Graham and Jamie Hornsby. They create original work across styles and genres, with a strong focus on young and diverse audiences.
In 2020, they premiered Claire Della and the Moon, which won two AWGIE Awards, including the David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre. The show returned in 2023 for acclaimed seasons at DreamBIG and AWESOME Arts Festivals, followed by a 2025 Country Arts SA tour. In 2024, their sci-fi work Starweaver premiered through State Theatre Company South Australia’s STATESIDE program to rave reviews and a sold-out season.
Space required ideally: 6m x 6m or standard classroom size with double door access. Darkened room, projector screen, and power point access with no carpet/elevated staging.
If you do not have a projector screen, please let us know
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An imaginative, hands-on exploration of the world of Claire Della and the Moon.
Participants are invited to take part in a 50- or 95-minute workshop that deepens their engagement with the themes of Claire Della and the Moon through either creative writing or performance. Each stream offers a safe, imaginative and playful space to explore emotional literacy, metaphor and storytelling.
Performance Workshop: this active session uses movement, devising skills and fun to express complex feelings through metaphor, imagery and performance.
Creative Writing Workshop: participants will explore the themes of the show through Madness of Two’s award-winning creative writing techniques, crafting monologues, duologues or short stories inspired by Claire’s journey to the moon and back.
Both workshop streams encourage creative risk-taking, emotional reflection, and the exploration of big feelings through creative expression. Workshops can be tailored to suit different age groups.
- Performance Workshops are ideal for families and children of any age
- Creative Writing Workshops are ideal for families and children aged 10-18 years
- One class at a time or up to 25 students
- Cost: $200 per 50-minute workshop, $275 per 90-minute workshop
About This Event
Presented by:Madness of Two
Art Form:Theatre
Tour window: 29 June to 5 July 2026
Duration: 55min + optional 20min Q&A
Suitable Venues: All Types, Gym, General Purpose Room or Hall, Blackbox or Theatre
Ages: All ages
Audience: Children & Families
Fee for Community Presenters: $2,800
Fee for PAC Network: $3,800
Technical Package: available for $500 + GST
To book contact the RAV Touring Team
Email: [email protected]