Hard Graft Theatre Co.

What's Been Said....

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:37:00 +0000

I've found some quotes online about Knife Edge and I thought you might like to read them.

"Howard Chadwick as Brian balances the father and the avenger beautifully;" What's On Stage

What the Audiences have to say

"Plays like these come along rarely and should be given the literary respect they deserve." Lynsey

"This play is like an onion with many layers"

"Certainly makes you consider what you would do if you were a member of the public invited to the duel. In any event, go and see it and make your own minds up" Alan Bennetts Glasses Case

perils of touring

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:21:00 +0000

Touring theatre is tough. Last night I got home at 5.30 am after we were stuck behind a lorry fire on the M5. This would be fine if I didn't have a 14month and 5yr old getting up at 6.30.

The play is however growing and gathering momentum. Other theatre's that we aren't touring to this time have started calling me asking about availability. This makes me happy, but it doesn't pay the wages.

And for all you with a sense of humor here comes that story again here enjoy!

I'm going to do a show one day about my life of crime LOL!

see you soon

mark

Feedback from Lowry

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:08:00 +0000

"Well done."

"Great Mark, can you let me know what you're doing next?"
"Brilliant, I wanted to see more..."
"That was great..."

"Here, take this £50,000 in cash and write me something else, anything, I think you're amazing and you're handsome to boot." (I made this one up)
These were just a few comments I received after last night's 'triumph' (Am I allowed to say that about my work?)
It was though, bloody marvelous cast, bloody marvelous direction, I urged you to see it.
Oh, and we'd sold out!

When people stand for your work, I think you know you've done alright.

see you sooner

mark x

knife edge the play

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:20:00 +0000

Law is the law

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:07:00 +0000

Just had a really curt email from Peter Halls people. I don't want to go into it because of legal reasons, but I'm sorry. I hope that satisfies you.

Technical rehearsal tomorrow. Nicky Bell has a sprained ankle. Never easy is it?

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:46:00 +0000

I've just had Sir Peter Hall on the phone asking for comps for Friday night's performance of Knife Edge. cheek of it! he must be on at least £10 an hour, one ticket costs £10 that's one hours work. Of course then I feel bad because he's a Lord and all that.
He's heard about it at a dinner party held by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne

I hope Sir Peter doesn't go on the internet....

I think though at his age you might even get a concession, I'll send him a telegram.

On a day like this.

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:03:00 +0000

I spent the day collecting props and sitting in rehearsals, watching Adam Sunderland direct John Elkington, Howard Chadwick and Jill Myers and wasn't it exciting? It's a nerve wracking time auditioning for a play. to know that we did a good job is fantastic. this cast is top shelf and I mean up their with Razzle and Hustler.

We also had another fantastic lift today, our great friend Warren Clarke popped in to with us luck. We auditioned Warren for the part of Brian, but we felt he wasn't completely right for it.

We start work in the Lowry tomorrow.

STREEESSSSSS

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:11:00 +0000

What do get if you cross 4 actors, a director, 2 children under 5 and a dog called Kit?

Stress.

It is very stressful running the theatre company that is hard graft at the moment. And then to top it all I owe the tax man money that needs to paid ASAP.

On a brighter note the sun is shining and our play is going to knock them dead.

see you next week at the Lowry, Salford.

Top of the world ma, top of the world.

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:29:00 +0000

You see, be patient and things will happen.

I am pleased to announce Howard Chadwick will be playing Brian in our new, brand spanking show Knife Edge.

See you in April at the Lowry....

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:49:00 +0000

As promised, here are names of the cast for Knife Edge thus far. We are still negotiating for the part of Brian so I'll keep you in the loop later this week - hopefully.

John Elkington plays Alan. John is a class act, he's just finished a four month stint at the Nottingham Playhouse and I know we are very lucky to have him. As are we to secure the services of Jill Myers. Jill will play Jane (I tell you characters name forgetting that its never been seen yet and most of you don't know who I'm talking about). In the role of Danny is Nicky Bell a very talented young man with a lot to do. I know from all the theatre's I've spoken to that pre-sales are very good, so pull your finger out and buy a seat, you're going to find it very, very frightening.

Knife Edge

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:45:00 +0000

What would you do if your son were murdered and you knew who did it? Like James Bulgar's Mum and Dad or the family of Rhys Jones. I have heard said from scores of people the line "Give me five minutes in a room and I'll sort them out". But let's say the rules changed and you were allowed to be locked in a room with a murderer - what would you really do? What if you challenge them, in front of your community to a duel to the death, an eye for an eye?

Knife Edge by Mark Whiteley opens at the Lowry before touring nationally later this spring.

I hope you find it interesting

Bad News

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:06:00 +0000

I've got some bad news I'm afraid. I have just heard the unfortunate news that the Arts Council have cut our funding for Knife Edge, this makes the process of making a fantastic, innovative piece of theatre very difficult, but not impossible. I spent last weekend deep in self pity and bemoaning every one and every thing. This is good for a day or two but doesn't get things done. On Monday I picked myself up, dusted myself down and started what a good (I use that word loosely of course) producer has to do when the sh*t hits the fan - I started hustling.

I have had to cut back, but somehow I have managed to keep hold of my director, Adam Sunderland (nominated for TMA award this year) and so far 50% of my cast (I'll tell you when I've contracted them). This is testament to both Adam and the script. I have managed to make the sums add up, but I really need your help. Because of the shortfall I need bums on seats to survive. Losing our funding will have no bearing on the quality of this performance, it just means we have to be more inventive - but the arts are good at that.

So please, tell your friends, book a ticket and come and support the arts.

Thank you for your support

"The most exiting piece of theatre you'll ever see" Mark Whiteley 2010

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:04:00 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Be up standing for Hard Graft's latest tour of Knife Edge by Mark Whiteley. We will endeavor to wow you with feats of great pretense. Actors will be dressing up and shall amaze you with their line learning capabilities.

But seriously, buy a ticket and tell your friends - Knife Edge is a new breed, faster, fiercer and will kill you dead.

April 2010
16/17 The Lowry Salford 0843 208 6000
22 The Arc Trowbridge (matinee & evening performance) 0845 299 0476
29 South Holland Centre Spalding 01775 764777
30 Rich Mix Bethnal Green London 020 7613 7498
May
6 The Maltings St. Albans 01727 844222
7 The Civic Hall Uppermill 0161 624 2829
8 Newark Palace 01636 655755
11 Paisley Arts (matinee & evening performance) 0141 887 1010
13 Guildhall Derby (matinee & evening performance) 01332 255800
14 Square Chapel Halifax 01422 349 422
18 Forum 28 Barrow-In Furness 01229 820000
20 CAP Centre Smethwick, West Midlands
27 Lakeside Arts Nottingham 0115 846 777

I will announce the cast next week. We've got some great actors for you though.....

Time the sleeping giant woke.

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:50:00 +0000

Sorry I haven't written much, been writing Knife Edge (fifth draft). The original idea was about a man challenging the murderer of his son to a duel to the death. to discover what it must be like to go to the depths of despair and to come up again. Now on draft five, its about more, much more and I urge you to see what I believe is my finest play.

I've got a rash on my stomach, it's stress I think. I've applied for funding for my next production, Knife Edge which starts rehearsing in 4 weeks. I've contacted actors, but as yet I can't contract them until I know exactly how much money I have. It's all very very stressful.

I went down to Nottingham this week to meet up with an actor we want to use for Knife Edge. He's performing in a show at the Nottingham Playhouse called Forever Young. Can I take this opportunity to review the show. it's great. really funny with some excellent clowning and superb musical interludes, I urge you to see it.

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:27:00 +0000

I went down to Manchester on Friday to say a quick hello and drop some things off for Hard Graft patron Amanda Holden. Amanda is in her fourth year of judging Britains Got Talent and by the number of paps outside waiting for a glimps of her they're doing rather well. Good luck Amanda.

Knife Edge - our next production had a brilliant reading last week at the Lowry. 25 industry friends (actors, writers, agents, directors and producers) came along to have a listen to what I've been writing for the last 6 months. I was bricking it! Adam Sunderland and the cast had worked their butts off to get it into shape and it was moving, funny, interesting and everything I want it to be with 3 months to go till D -Day. I have a feeling about this play, a deep sense that this is it, this is the one.

I'm also pleased that I've been asked by Reform Theatre Company (great company in Sheffield) to re-think Thick As Thieves. I can report that it's going very well indeed. You'll be able to see this one October and November 2010 in a theatre near you.

knife point for knife edge.

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:37:00 +0000

Happy new year.

Hope you had a good Christmas? We're still digging out after the longest cold spell since the last one when the dinosaurs 'got it'.

I am bored with snow, with pushing cars and things being cancelled.

Any way thank you if you came to see the Elves and the Shoemaker we doubled last year's audience and look set to move next year's show to a 200 seater venue to keep up with demand. This week we had an extra performance in Helmsey North Yorkshire. We left Manchester at 7am because of the - 17 temperatures and arrived in Helmsey with more snow falling. there is no business like snow business. 2 shows later and we're driving home in treacherous conditions with a £1,500 insurance excess on the hire van down Sutton Bank.

Bloody bricking it! three actors in a van making life and death decisions based on how quick we'll get home (if you go round you add an hour on the journey). I'm still having flashbacks 4 days on.

Hard Graft Theatre Co. are having a rehearsed reading tomorrow with 4 actors at the Lowry of Knife Edge a new play I've been writing. It's a scary time for me, I've spent weeks alone thinking and writing this story only to have complete strangers have their say on my work.

wish me luck

Mark Whiteley

The show always goes on.

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:31:00 +0000

Since I started Hard Graft we have only ever cancelled one show back in 1999 when we were doing Thick as Thieves in a shop in Nottingham. The first night was packed with friends and family and went down a storm. however, someone forgot to tell the population of Nottingham that we were on for three weeks and our second night was supported only by one lady. The Equity rule I think has something to do with the amount of cast out numbering the audience so Dan and I decided to cancel and offer the lady a ticket at a later date. Word soon spread and we played to packed houses for three weeks.

This week Saddleworth has been covered with snow. our sell our houses have been diminished to those willing to walk to the theatre in ski suits. My mobile and the office phone has been rung off the hook with people asking if we've cancelled. I will never cancel a show Clare comes from the other side of Manchester and David drives from Leeds, so I feel if they can get through the blizzards we must go on.

I'll leave you with these words

There's no business like show business like no business I know
You get word before the show has started that your favorite uncle died at dawn
Top of that, your pa and ma have parted, you're broken-hearted, but you go on

There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Yesterday they told you you would not go far, that night you open and there you are
Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star, let's go on with the show!!

Merry Christmas and thank you all for your support.

See you next year

mark

Elves and the Shoemaker opening day

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Hard Graft Theatre Company's second Christmas Cracker opened this morning in Uppermill Saddleworth with the elves and the shoemaker and what a show. An audience is so important to a show, they are one of the magic ingredients that finishes off they process of making theatre. today to two sell out houses magic was made and an old hall in Saddleworth became a theatre. Children laughed, grown ups groaned and I sat with a grim ear to ear listening to the lines that before today had only lived in my head.

Best thing today was - I play Santa after the show and a little girl came into my grotto and I asked her, " what did I bring you last Christmas?" She said, "I'm polish you didn't see me last year". Now, if you didn't know I've been touring the country with Dan doing a show called Poles Apart and Dan taught me about 6 words of Polish, one being Hello, How are you? You should have seen the smile on her little face when I spoke Polish to her -

Jak sie masz

Oh and I nearly forgot - Holly our helper over heard a kid telling a teacher "It's not the real Santa, I went to Lap land last year and he's tall and thin, not fat."

Elves and the Shoemaker

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:08:00 +0000

Well, what a hectic week. We started rehearsing for the Elves and the Shoemaker our second Christmas show with Claire Lever and David Crowley magnificently directed by Judith Barker. I'm doing what I do best - collecting props and building a set.

We have now had to put on two extra performances to cope with demand on Sunday 20th and Christmas Eve. both shows start at 4.00pm -

I thought I learnt last year about how best to run these shows, only thing I didn't consider was the popularity of this year's show. We have sold out many shows and probably doubled last years audience, we can only build and learn from this experience. Costumes are nearly made, lines learnt lights ordered. The Elves and the Shoemaker will be a great Christmas show, see you there.

Update - I watch a run this afternoon and it was lovely. It's going to be the best childrens show we've produced

I'm living in beautiful mono again.

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:24:00 +0000

You may remember my dog ate the hearing aid and left me sad and deaf, well thanks to the NHS I know have an aid for both ears. Unfortunately the left ear is so damaged I can't really get any noise I recognise from it.

Rehearsals are going well for Poles Apart. Dan has been up all week and we open tonight at the Lowry to a sell out crowd. The promoter there emailed me yesterday to tell me they had one seat left, thank you Manchester. Dan has written a load more material about the BNP and last night I dreamt a load of Brown Shirts were waiting for me outside the theatre. Hope dreams don't come true.

Hollyoaks

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:16:00 +0000

Could I play his Dad? Answers on a post card.

We've nearly sold out at the Lowry, I'm so excited. Poles Apart is the most successfully show we've done. I know Dan reads this, (just in case I write about him) so listen. What you doing messing about in London when the world wants to see and laugh with you. 'Get on board the friendship train.' Write a show and tour with Whiteley, you're both good at it.

If you live in London though buy a ticket for Rich Mix

Enough already. I auditioned today for Hollyoaks as a dad with MS. If I got the gig I'd have to act in a wheel chair. Deaf and disabled - is there no limits to my talents? I spent all day learning the script all three scenes only to be told by Dorothy Andrew not to bother.

The Elves and the Shoemaker is also exceeding expectations. It's going to be an excellent show.

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:58:00 +0000

What is it about people?

I got this facebook link sent to me from someone thinking that Poles Apart is a racist anti-Polish show. have a look.

here

idiots!

I made this for you

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:48:00 +0000

I made a film for Poles Apart here. It's to publicise our next shows later this month.

News for November

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:04:00 +0000

Hello Everyone,

I have just finished writing a play today so I'm in a very good mood. I'm
so happy I'd thought I'd share some of the love with you.

Right, I've got loads of stuff to tell you. Firstly Dan and I (if you
didn't know) are performing Poles Apart again at the Lowry in
Salford and the Rich Mix in Bethnal Green
*LONDON*. I've had my hair cut specially. If you didn't catch this show
earlier this year I urge you to go, it's funny with a serious message & and
with One Eyed Nick Griffin popping up every where this message of racial
harmony needs pushing.

Next - I've started a facebook group for people like you. I'm not very good
on Facebook so bare with me. To join the group click on this link here - no
here - no over here

It's going rather well isn't it?

Okay, if you really want to get in the mind of a world class actor/writer
you know can, by searching Alan Bennett on Google for everyone else I now
write me own BLOG . * "It's all
about me, it's all about me baby."*

And finally, this is where you're supposed to come up with a light hearted
story to finish the news, well sorry. The play I've just finished today is
called Knife Edge. If you
saw GRASS last year it's a step in
that direction. It's very scary, very serious and very dark story about a
fatal stabbing and how a family deal with aftermath. It tours next year so
look out for it.

That's it.

I nearly forgot. For all you fun loving 3-7 year olds out there we're doing
a version of The Elves and the Shoemaker this Christmas. Well, to be honest it's more like Shrek meets the Elves and the Shoemaker. It's at the Civic Hall Uppermill 14th - 24th December then
at Helmsley Arts Centre on the 7th January

My Dad's Dead.

noreply@blogger.com (mark whiteley) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:16:00 +0000

You go on holiday in Newcastle for half term and everything kicks off.

I haven't seen my dad for years, to be honest I didn't like him but nobody did. He was a nasty, violent alcoholic. He died on 16Th Oct but I didn't hear the news until the 29Th Oct. He had 7 children that I know of, 2 wives as well as 8 brother's and sister's and not one person came forward. The local council put an advert in the paper asking if any one knew him and still no one could be bothered to come forward.

They bury him next week, he's having a paupers funeral in Nottingham. This is a warning to all you nasty people out there - you will die sad and lonely and be buried in a card board box.

The best thing about this is my new family coming out of the woodwork that I've never met. I now know I have an aunty Mavis and Sheila -