Written by Australian playwright Hilary Bell, Wolf Lullaby explores the themes of parental guilt and responsibility and if some people are just born evil.
Set in a remote Tasmanian town, a small child is murdered and suspicion falls on nine-year-old Lizzie.
Lizzie's mother is convinced her daughter is guilty and has to choose between her intuition and presenting Lizzie to the police while her father is in denial that his daughter could have been involved.
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READ NOW"Wolf Lullaby has the disturbing subject of children as murderers but asks not only why it occurs but how do we deal with it," Chaney said.
"As children, how close have we all been to doing something unbidden because we have not yet learnt how to control our anger and frustration?
"Is it luck or moral instinct that stops us? The play also raises questions about getting children to tell the truth and whether they relay events honestly or the way they think we want them to."
Chaney said Bell's script grabbed her attention right away. "It set my mind racing and left me wondering if a child could really be born evil," she said.
"That thought really struck a nerve but I refuse to believe newborn babies have that genetically stamped on their DNA but what could cause them to do something so inherently awful?
"I felt there was definitely a story to be told here and I wanted to be the one who brought it to the Old Mill Theatre."
This is the fourth show in a year of all-Australian plays at the theatre to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli landing.
THE ESSENTIALS Wolf Lullaby When: 8pm, July 31, August 1, 6-8, 12-15 and 2pm, August 9 Where: Old Mill Theatre, South Perth Tickets: $25 or $20 concession at oldmilltheatre.com.au/tickets or on 9367 8719 Note: Not suitable for children under 15