Claire Della and the Moon

This gentle little production playing in the Rehearsal Room at the State Theatre may be a good AWESOME Festival choice for quiet or anxious children that are averse to the chaos and loud nature of many children’s shows.

An allegory for anxiety and depression, Claire Della and the Moon tells of a young girl Claire, who, thinking that she is unimportant and will not be missed, departs for the moon - and in a loss of control destroys her way back. On the moon she meets Space Dog Laika, who has been abandoned. 

Obliquely looking at some serious issues, this 50-minute play is not heavy, and uses puppetry, movement, and projections to tell its story. Central character Claire is played with beautiful naivety and childlike wonder by Ella Graham, while co-creator Jamie Hornsby plays her brother and narrates the story with warmth.

The first show in this season suffered some technical issues necessitating a short mid-show delay, which may have diminished a little of its magic, and this may not have been the best venue choice for this production - as much of the action takes place on the floor, and the seats do not have a steep rake. For best viewing I advise that children sit on the floor at the front, where they are best able to see and be drawn into this sweet story.

A lovely little gentle squeeze of a show, that will warm the heart and be appreciated by sensitive children and adults. 

Kimberley Shaw