An Actor's Investigation: The Chalk Pit by Peter Wilkins

Overview

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.