ONE of Australia’s most celebrated recent plays, part of the current drama curriculum for Year 11 and 12 students, is being brought to life by ARENAarts this autumn.

Written by Matt Cameron and directed by Louise Collins at Belmont’s Latvian Centre Theatre, Ruby Moon starts off like a fairytale and eventually becomes a twisted whodunit set in sinister, contemporary suburbia.

Set in picture-perfect Flaming Tree Grove, the story follows a couple struggling to come to terms with the mysterious disappearance of their young daughter, Ruby, who left to visit her grandmother and never came back.

They are almost ready to give up hope – until the arm of Ruby's doll turns up in their letterbox. Desperate for answers, they quiz their eccentric neighbours about the incident.

In 2003, the play was short-listed for the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards.

“Ruby Moon is a fractured fairy tale based on Little Red Riding Hood,” Collins said.

“The play isn't actually about Ruby or what happened to her; it’s about her parents dealing with the fact their only daughter is gone.”

Becoming involved in drama as a 10-year-old with the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, Collins continued her studies at high school and appeared in numerous productions, including Alice in Wonderland.

Her passion never waned and she is now studying theatre and drama at Murdoch University where she has also performed with Second Chance Theatre in Waste.

Collins first studied Ruby Moon while in Year 12 and fell in love with the play.

“I love the questions the play leaves for the audience and the fact it’s not really resolved,” she said.

“I have always loved the story of Little Red Riding Hood and this new and twisted interpretation of the fairytale.

“Given this is the first major show where I’m directing, I wanted it to be a play I knew well.”

Ruby Moon plays at 8pm March 27, 28, April 2, 3, 4, 16, 17 and 18 with 2pm matinees March 29 and April 5. Tickets are $20, $16 concession – book on 9497 5140 or at http://www.trybooking.com/HFMD.

The Latvian Centre Theatre is at 60 Cleaver Terrace, Belmont.