Award-winning picture book adapted for the stage reminds audiences that heroes come in all shapes, sizes and species
Barking Gecko Arts’ new theatre production, Stellarphant, opens at Subiaco Arts Centre next month, bringing James Foley’s award-winning picture book to Western Australian families. General public performances run from 15 – 18 April during the second week of school holidays.
The 55-minute production brings to life the story of Stella, an elephant with an impossible dream: to become an astronaut. When Space Command repeatedly tells Stella that elephants can’t go to space, she refuses to give up. With courage, creativity and the help of some unexpected friends, including King Napoleon (a champion boxer penguin), Panthera Tigré (a fierce Siberian tiger pilot), and Professor Arboreous (a brilliant sloth scientist), Stella sets out to build her own spaceship and prove that anyone can reach for the stars.
Access sits at the heart of everything Barking Gecko Arts does. With tickets priced from just $16, Stellarphant opens the door for more families to experience high-quality live theatre these school holidays. It is an invitation for every child to feel a sense of belonging in the arts, to spark imagination and confidence, and to build capabilities that shape lifelong wellbeing. Tickets go on sale mid-March.
“The moment I read STELLARPHANT, I knew I wanted to see it on stage. Stella is determined, intelligent, and creative, but the people at Space Command choose not to see her potential. Instead, they see difficulties, differences, and the elephant in the room. Stellarphant is about being larger than the box that people put you in,” says director Sam Longley.
Acclaimed playwright Clare Testoni brings James Foley's beloved picture book to the stage in this vibrant adaptation. Three performers bring the characters to life through physical comedy, video projections, and imaginative staging, with each actor playing multiple roles.
Full of laughter, heart, and imagination, Stellarphant tackles themes of discrimination, diversity, equity, and feminism through a lens that connects with primary school audiences from Years 3 to 6, while delivering an uplifting message for all ages: never let anyone make you feel too small or too big for anything.
Following the general public performances, Stellarphant continues with the school season at Subiaco Arts Centre before travelling to venues across Perth metro, outer metro, and regional WA for school performances, including Kwinana, Thornlie, Kalamunda, Karratha, and Esperance. The only regional general public performance is in Port Hedland on 23 May at Matt Dann Theatre and Cinema.
The 2026 season of Stellarphant is made possible by the support of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, Creative Australia, Minderoo Foundation, Cybec Foundation, Woodside Energy, Horizon Power, Peter & Elizabeth Moore Foundation, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Wright Burt Foundation, and Quercus Foundation.
Performance Details
General Public Performances
- Subiaco Arts Centre: 15–18 April 2026, 10:00 am and 1:00 pm daily
- Matt Dann Theatre & Cinema, Port Hedland: 23 May 2026, 2:00 pm
School Season Performances
- 21–24 April - Subiaco Arts Centre
- 29 April–1 May - Koorliny Arts Centre, Kwinana
- 5–8 May - Don Russell Performing Arts Centre, Thornlie
- 12–15 May - Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre
- 20–21 May - Red Earth Arts Precinct, Karratha
- 29 May - Esperance Civic Centre
Cast
- Hannah Davidson as Stellarphant
- Tegan Mulvany as The Man, Panthera Tigre, Mrs Phant, Kirkey Eucalypt
- Laura Maitland as King, Professor Arborious, The Sheep, Mr Phant, Another Man, Big Boss
Creative Team
Author: James Foley
Adaptor: Clare Testoni
Set & Costume Designer: Fiona Bruce
Lighting Designer: Lucy Birkinshaw
Sound Designer & Composer: Amaru Zachariassen
Video Designer: Roly Skender
Director: Sam Longley
