Facebook Group

From our Facebook group, something you too can join.

Dear Hard Graft Theatre group followers (is that what we're called?)

I have been thinking about this group for a while now and I don't know what it's for. Is it for marketing? Is it for my ego? Or is it to support the theatre lovers and story makers? Some of you are here because I've roped you in, some for professional reasons. However, there are 437 of us and 437 is the biggest audience I, as Hard Graft theatre company, has played to. So, I am inventing a purpose for this group.

The most fun I have had in this business was when there was no money, no fear, and no responsibility. The times (and there were many) when I had an idea and wanted to get it on, through necessity comes invention.

I have lost a lot of good actors/writers/producers to commercials, soaps and the corporate world. I have been seduced by that world and it brings no satisfaction, no real riches and no stories. Who is the most successful, you or the bloke who plays Ian Beale in Eastenders?

Out there in the world there are millions of story lovers, they consume stories in which ever way they can, on the bus, on the radio, in the papers, on the internet, books, films, podcasts, TV, Youtube, theatre.

WE MAKE STORIES.

This group is for the story makers. This group is for the people who love stories. People, who consume them, create them, write them and tell them.

If you need help with your story, then ask the group. If you have a stupid idea then tell us. If you want to leave the group go now.

Can a revolution start with 437 followers?

Let’s find out…..

Mark

Who’s Harry Styles?

If you can't  read the story below, I have written it out underneath the photo.

Oldham’s celebrity Elves have been offered the chance to switch on this year’s Christmas lights, in a house, in Springhead Oldham.

The pair, who swept to fame when they were discovered in Oldham library basement, have been offered numerous ‘high profile’ events in the town.  “We originally booked One Direction” a Council spokeswoman told us, “But after a mass public protest we have booked the Elves instead.”  Crowds of Oldhamers were out in force earlier this week, brandishing placards and chanting anti One Direction songs.  

Harry Styles, a ‘singer’ with the popular band, tweeted, “They might be able to turn lights on, make shoes, but they can’t sing”.  The Elves said “Who’s Harry Styles?”

The Elves can be seen in Oldham and Saddleworth this Christmas in a special tribute show written by local theatre company Hard Graft.  

"We are are currently trying to come up with an idea how to best use these two talented Elves" Johnny Theatre from Hard Graft has said, " I wanted to do Jack and the Beanstalk, but neither are tall enough." 

Christmas begins here...

The Christmas Elves and the Shoemaker runs in Oldham and Saddleworth from 4th-24th December 2014

For the last 7 years we have been building a long-term legacy of entertaining and educational children’s theatre in Oldham, Greater Manchester. As we all know every Christmas there is a lot of theatre aimed at children. Last Christmas in Manchester alone audiences could find a Children's show at every venue, from Panto to Dickens. All of these performances are between 120 to 150 minutes long and cost on average £17.50. That’s brilliant, but if you’ve got a child under 6 we at Hard Graft feel that these shows are too long and far too expensive, we have proved that there is a substantial audience for gateway theatre shows, not too long, not too expensive, but with all the talent and high quality production values audiences expect today. 

I am the Dad of 5 & 9 year old kids.  I know how expensive Christmas can be.  I know that 150 minutes sat in a theatre seat watching a panto can be too long.  

That is why, 7 years ago, we invented our very own Christmas treat for your kids.

• 70 minutes long (Disney & Pixar are no longer than 80 minutes)
• Prices from £6 (No Booking fees)
• Child friendly venue and staff. (We know kids walk around)
• All inclusive (We welcome everyone)
• Meet Santa for free (no gimmicks, no expensive photo's, Just SANTA FREE)
• Fast, interactive, funny, theatre (if you don't laugh, your money back!)

Thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to seeing you and your school very soon.

Best wishes

Mark Whiteley
Dad and Director
Hardgraft Theatre

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Ghost Stories from Oldham & Uppermill

Ghost stories from Oldham to Uppermill

On my last ghost walk in Uppermill a member of the audience came up to me and asked if I was going to tell the story of the drowned woman.  We were on the top of a footbridge crossing the Huddersfield Canal so I didn’t think it a strange request, but this lady looked me in the eyes and said “I have just seen the spirit of woman dressed in black and she looked like they had just dragged her out of the canal”.  I was indeed about to tell that same story and I can tell you that when I did it had an even more chilling feel to it.

You meet all sorts when you are ghost walking, believers, sceptics, spiritualists and the ones who have no idea, but love a good story.  I tell 90 minutes of local ghost stories, whether in Oldham or Uppermill but my favourite time is the interval.  We always have a fifteen-minute break in a Cafe or pub and that’s when the magic happens.  These people, this audience, having listened to me then start to open up.  They have told me amazing stories of ghosts, or strange happenings in their lives.  From the dog spirit that lived (or possessed) a wardrobe for thirty years to the spirit who didn’t like Bruce Forsythe and threw things across the room when he was on telly.

When I started telling ghost stories I sat firmly on the fence, now after 4 years I think I’ve seen and heard enough to change my mind.

Oldham and Uppermill Ghost walks are for kids and grown ups next week 29^th, 30th, 31st October 2014

Oldham Kids walk start at 5pm – 6.30pm from outside the haunted Oldham Coliseum

Oldham Ghost walk for the brave 8pm – 9.30pm

Uppermill Kids walk start at 5pm – 6.30pm from outside the spooky Civic Hall

Uppermill Ghost walk for the brave 8pm-9.30pm

www.hardgraft.co.uk

 0161 652 602

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Gosh,

Finished Thick As Thieves in our little shop.

In almost no time at all we have built a venue, an audience and a show.

It may seem to some a waste of time when there are theatres to fill, but can I assure you that seeing audiences reactions in the shop made it completely worth while.

The artwork by Celia Perkins of our Banksy style wall outside.

During building the set, our kitchen had just come out of a ladies house in Saddleworth Oldham.

Me, about to paint the place black.

I have learnt so much doing this project, most of it concerning management.  I never thought when I trained as an actor that I would need to be manager.

Ghost Walks from Hard Graft

News from our pop up shop.

Lots of deeds this week from Hard Graft Theatre company.  As you will probably know we are turning an empty retail unit into a Retale unit, we're making a pop up theatre venue.

The actors, both ex coronation street characters are causing a storm in Oldham mumps where we are rehearsing.

Here's some shots of what we've been playing with over the past couple of weeks....

Steven Arnold, David Crowley and Jonny Dixon enjoy a joke during a break in rehearsals

We commissioned a mural to brighten up the outside of our shop in Mumps Oldham

Steven Arnold, David Crowley and Jonny Dixon in rehearsals