The Chalk Pit - January-February 2025 - Mill Theatre at Dairy Road

AN ACTOR'S INVESTIGATION: The Chalk Pit by Peter Wilkins 

In a unique format, new to the Mill Theatre, Peter Wilkins’ true-crime story returns to Canberra. The Chalk Pit is a gripping play that delves into the life of Thomas John Ley, a politician, lawyer, and murderer whose controversial career spanned scandal, ambition, and dark secrets. From his early days in Sydney politics, earning the nickname “Lemonade Ley” for his temperance advocacy, to his rise as Minister of Justice, Ley's life is a tale of power, betrayal, and moral conflict. The play explores his involvement in political intrigues and his descent into shady business ventures and violent crime. As his career unravels amidst bribery accusations and mysterious deaths, Ley's shocking conviction for murder in 1947—and his final days in Broadmoor Asylum—offers a chilling portrait of a man whose personal and political ambitions ultimately led him to ruin. A thrilling exploration of power, corruption, and the darkness lurking beneath the surface of a public life, The Chalk Pit is a must-see for lovers of historical drama and true-crime intrigue.

This production was originally part of the Mill Theatre co-production series, a program which provides an avenue for creatives to present their own work in the Mill Theatre space. Due to a trying financial landscape for other independent companies, this work will now be presented in a smaller format called AN ACTOR’S INVESTIGATION. Actors will work full time with renowned coach, Julia Grace, to pull apart the circumstances and characters and present a simple but powerful version of this shocking story. Julia is known for her work with The Melbourne Theatre Company, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Red Stitch & The Hayloft Project and will lead the company in investigating this script. Enjoy an evening of stripped back but outstanding characterisation and storytelling.

Duration: 70 minutes approximately with no interval

Audience suitability: Teachers, actors, kids interested in theatre, history buffs and those who like to learn about dodgy politicians! 

Please note the Mill often uses haze, flashing lights and loud sound. Please check with the team for full details so we can tell you exactly what this show is like! hello@milltheatreatdairyroad.com

CREATIVES & COMPANY 

Playwright: Peter Wilkins

Coach: Julia Grace

Players: To be announced! 

Major partner: Elite Event Technology

Principal Sponsor: Willard Public Affairs

TICKETS 

General admission tickets are $40 inclusive of GST but exclusive of Humanitix booking fees. 

Concession tickets for Full-Time Students, Health Care or Pension Card holders are $35 inclusive of GST but exclusive of Humanitix booking fees.

Tickets are fully transferable up to one day before the event only. No refunds are available.

Tickets are for entry only and are available online until one hour before the show. From that point, box office tickets in person are available for purchase. 

The information below goes into a lot of detail but if you have further questions, please email us at hello@milltheatreatdairyroad.com. A small team can see that inbox and we respond very quickly. The Mill is a very quirky space and we want to welcome you!

SEATING & ACCESS

• All tickets are general admission and no seats are reserved so the earlier you arrive, the better position you will have. If you have any access needs and require reserved seating you must email us before the show please hello@milltheatreatdairyroad.com
• Seating is in an L-shape to create a dynamic and intimate playing space. 
• The venue is fully accessible for wheelchairs with a ramp from the P3 parking spot and same level access from entry into building 3.3 into the theatre all the way to the accessible seating positions inside the Mill. We have two wheelchair seating positions both with very different views. Please contact us at hello@milltheatreatdairyroad.com so we can talk through the options, including adding companion card tickets. One option is on the short side, the other option is on the long side. All accessible bookings will be reserved.
• Every seat in the house has a great view, and a different view. Patrons walk through the set to find your seats, adding to the intimacy of the space. This means, late arrivals or patrons who leave the theatre before intermission or the end will NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE THEATRE.
  

ARRIVAL & PROTOCOLS

ENTERING

• Please head to the Box Office on arrival. You really must do this please. If you have already purchased a ticket, the Front of House team checks off the name of every booked attendee. Please do not try to walk directly into the theatre.
• If you haven’t purchased a ticket, you can get one onsite an hour before show time. However, it is a very small theatre and we have started selling out and we do not hold any seats. 
• The doors open approximately 15 minutes before show time. The Front of House team will let you know when you can enter.

LOCK OUT

• Due to the unique layout of the venue, the audience walks through the stage to take their seats. This means we cannot accommodate anyone slipping in late for the beginning of the show or for the return after intermission. This also means, if you need to leave during the show, we cannot allow you back in. If patrons are rude or resistant about this fact then it makes for both an unsafe and unpleasant time for everyone. Please think about this before you book and before you arrive. 
• The Front of House team rings a bell and counts the audience to ensure you won’t miss out but please don’t tempt fate otherwise you will be locked out and we cannot let you in. We even call any audience who might be running late to make sure you won’t miss the show! 

LOCATION

The Mill Theatre is in Building 3.3, the Screencraft and KeepCo building which is a short walk from Capital Brewing. There are two easy ways to approach the Theatre:

PARK in P3 at the back of the precinct. From there you will see building 3.3 which has a large Screencraft sign. The public entrance is just up from that sign (not underneath it!). Once inside, walk about 5 metres and the theatre is to the right, next to Mojo Guitars.

WALK from Capital Brewing or the Less sculpture into the KeepCo building, pass Ramen Daddy and at the end of the corridor we are on the left. 

PARKING

All parking in the precinct is free with several accessible parking spots in all the parking locations. The best spot to park is P3 at the back of the precinct. If you park elsewhere please be warned that signage and way-finding around the precinct is extremely difficult. Arrive in plenty of time to possibly get lost, possibly be in a bad mood, and remedy that with a drink at our bar before enjoying a smashing show! 

ABOUT THOMAS LEY

Thomas John Ley (1880-1947) was a complex figure: a politician, lawyer, and ultimately a murderer. Born in England, he emigrated to Sydney as a child and became involved in local politics, earning the nickname "Lemonade Ley" for his support of temperance. A controversial and ambitious figure, Ley served in various political roles, including Minister of Justice in New South Wales, but his career was marked by scandal, sectarianism, and public outcry, particularly over his refusal to commute a death sentence and his involvement in a bribery scandal. His reputation further tarnished through shady business ventures and mysterious deaths surrounding his associates. In 1947, Ley was convicted for the murder of John McBain Mudie and sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. He died in Broadmoor Asylum in 1947, leaving behind a legacy of political intrigue, moral ambiguity, and violent crime.

REFUNDS

Under what circumstances will you accept refunds? 

When the event is postponed or cancelled you will receive a refund.

Should we expect a credit or transfer instead of a refund?

Yes, transferring your ticket to another date or crediting your ticket to another show is allowed at any time. Please email hello@milltheatreatdairyroad.com to arrange this.