Daniel Hoffman- Gill and Mark Whiteley 2002

Thick as Thieves is a black comedy, it toured the UK from 2002-04 and was performed over 120 times in living rooms, shops, barns, offices and one or two theatres. It's about 2 burglars whose life in crime takes an unexpected turn for the worse, when they stumble upon 2 dead bodies. It also toured with Reform Theatre Company in 2010.

For performance rights please contact us hardgraft@gmail.com

"The most exciting piece of theatre I have possibly ever seen." **** BBC

"They are a first-class double-act. Author Mark Whiteley has written a great piece of character-led comedy" **** The Scotsman


Chalked out man Edinburgh Festival 2004

Our shop in the Centre of Nottingham 2003

The pre runner for I Heart it toured 60 Charity Shops in 2004 and sold out a Banardos Shop at the Edinburgh Festival in 2005. In 2006 it spent two weeks in Nottingham at the Arts Theatre.

Winner of the TAPPS comedy writing award 2005


"Well-observed comedy piece with fantastic characterisation and equally remarkable delivery. The script is refreshingly simple and unassuming and is all the better for not trying to be something it's not. Basically, Hard Graft have found an interesting, down-to-earth niche and filled it perfectly". **** Richard Biggs Hairline


"The play is charming, a sort of 'Last of the Summer Wine' meets 'Shallow Grave', with an aging couple entering a moral maze when a bag of stolen money lands on their doorstep. The characters are beautifully drawn and their conclusion is rather heartwarming." **** Three Weeks


"Good performances, well directed by Sara Poyzer, and a well-written piece of comedy that manages to become serious without mawkishness." **** Peter Lathan
British Theatre Guide.


"Best Monday night I've had in years, really funny and moving" Sharon Brighton
"Absolutely Wonderful" Phylm London
"one of the best performances we've witnessed in a long while" Dave B London
"Please keep on writing - superb evening - real entertainment. Matlock.
"Absolutely brilliant and extremely funny" Danny Loughorough
"Extremely funny! Had me crying in places. Keep up the good work. Will definatly come to the next performance" Kate Nottingham
"Absolutely great! script, acting, everything!" Loughborough
"Very enjoyable and witty! very good morals too." Marie Edinburgh
"Really made me think" Excellent." Kim Edinburgh

This autobiographical tale about small time criminals who find themselves on the wrong side of the law and the wrong side of the criminal community was
Nominated for a Manchester Evening News Award in 2008.

It was first performed at the Manchester 24/7 Festival and subsequently at the Bolton Octogon

DIRECTED BY JUDITH BARKER

With..

Nicholas Higgins
Daniel Rogers
Holly Bryson
Andonis Anthony
John Elkington


Danny Rogers, Nicholas Higgins and Holly Bryson

Officially 600,000 Polish people have come to Britain to seek work since 2004. Two British lads (Dan & Mark) are reversing the trend and trying to get work in Warsaw, Poles Apart is their story.
This unique show about a 2000 mile adventure from the U.K to Poland following the journey thousands of Polish people have made over the last 70 years. Poles Apart is the story of two nations who have fought together, worked together and now live together.
This innovative show brings Hard Graft's unique blend of entertaining comedy storytelling to help us all understand what it means to be an immigrant in the World today.

In 2006 Hard Graft Theatre Company walked 216 miles across the country from Bangor to Boston with no money, no food and no accommodation, our only currency was a 90 minute comedy/storytelling show that we had to perform or go hungry.
In 2007 Mark and Dan wrote COAST TO COAST, a brand new show about how they survived, who they met and where they slept en route, from the Buddhist retreat deep in the Welsh mountains, to the mosquito infested Shropshire mere. Hear about the man whom God told to leave for America to find his future or the street sleeper who taught us how to forage food from the skip at the back of Lidl. Fast, funny and forthright this is a show not to be missed.
COAST TO COAST is an extra-ordinary story by two outstanding story tellers, with video diary footage from our coast-to-coast theatrical odyssey. This innovative show will entertain and encourage the whole family to pull on their boots and have an adventure of their own…


Daniel Hoffman - Gill and Mark Whiteley

2 Hour one man show about celebrity (or the lack of it). Toured the UK 2011.

For the last 16 years Mark Whiteley has been an actor/writer/producer/the bloke that drives the van and books the bed and breakfast.

Well he's had enough, he's had enough of playing second fiddle to the likes of Ian Beale and Ken Barlow. He wants some of it, He wants notoriety, He wants to be famous. The funny and touching true story of a man who wanted some attention.
"I went to see John Cleese's show on Thursday night and you were funnier" Kev Nottingham

Christmas At our Carols

45 minute radio play
runner up of the BBC Alfred Bradley Award

What would you do if your son were murdered and you knew who did it?

This spring Manchester's Hard Graft theatre company are touring a brand new play 'Knife Edge' by Mark Whiteley. It tells the story of the Shelton’s, an ordinary family on an ordinary estate who, after the murder of their 17 year old son are about to have the most extra ordinary day of their lives.

Dad, Brian is angry at the community where he grew up, angry with the Police who can't seem to find his sons murderer and angry with himself for not being man enough to cope. At his wits end and wanting to do something, anything, he prints hundreds of posters to challenge his sons murderer to a duel, to the death. Knife Edge opens 30 minutes before the murderer is due to arrive.

Knife Edge is High Noon, it is Falling Down, it is the story of knife crime and how it touches real people today in Britain. So, what would you do if your son was murdered? Kill – be killed? Written by Mark Whiteley and Directed by TMA award nominated Adam Sunderland.

Yesterday I was an ordinary printer today; I’m Judge, Jury and Executioner Brian Shelton