In 2004 Phil wrote, produced and performed in his first play, Mud, about two men who have recently been made redundant and are attempting to reinvent themselves as entrepreneurs. It enjoyed a successful season and prompted him to write Biscuit & Coffee, a one woman show starring Alex Ellis. Biscuit & Coffee successfully toured throughout New Zealand playing venues as varied as cafés, movie theatres and community halls as well as seasons in traditional theatres such as BATS in Wellington and The Herald in Auckland.
On the basis of that experience Phil gave up his job to write and tour with Flaxworks, the Theatre company he now co-produces with Alex. They have produced and toured subsequent shows, Murder by Chocolate and Carol & Nev to over 50 venues nationally. Murder by Chocolate also played the Melbourne Comedy Festival where it enjoyed sell-out houses and Biscuit & Coffee continues to tour, most recently, to the Adelaide Fringe.
Drowning In Veronica Lake, based on the life of the 1940's film star, premiered to critical acclaim at the 2011 Wellington Fringe before travelling to the Auckland Fringe where it was nominated for best performance as it was at the Dunedin Fringe where it also won Best Production Design. Drowning In Veronica Lake played at the Southland, Nelson and Tauranga Arts Festivals in 2011, as well as in Wellington at Circa 2 in November 2011 and Q Theatre in 2012.