Inserting php into theme.tpl

Hi there everyone,

I tried inserting php into my template via this method(I found in the forums here):

[code]
{php}
include='../template/menu.php';
{/php}

and it resulted in a blank page, requiring a manual cache clearing with the old template to get back into the gallery.

It seems so simple, a caveman... well, you know, but it's breaking my gallery.

Could someone help me out?

thanks,
json