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Meeting an old familiar friendly face 150 150 mhamer

Meeting an old familiar friendly face
Jimmy Cricket with the professional photographer Tim Badley

Jimmy Cricket with professional photographer Tim Bradley at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn

Jimmy Cricket came across a familiar figure at the launch of his new musical.

The Rochdale-based famous Irish entertainer was at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn where Maloney’s Big Moment is being staged on Friday and Saturday, 11 and 12 October.

And he bumped into freelance photographer Tim Bradley, whom Jimmy has met many times previously.

He said: “Tim is such a warm and amiable guy, whom I first met when he worked as a photographer at the Rochdale Observer – my local paper.

“I get asked to appear at a lot of local events in Rochdale and this is when I used to bump into Tim.

“He has now gone freelance and does a lot of work for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, so when I recently launched my new musical show at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn, it was Tim who turned up on behalf of the paper to take some photographs.”

Tim took the photos which featured in the previous Cricket Times story about Maloney’s Big Moment.

Jimmy added: “I hope it won’t be too long before our paths collide again!”

What’s the story in Costa de Looney? 150 150 mhamer

What’s the story in Costa de Looney?

Have you got your tickets yet for Jimmy Cricket’s new musical later this year?

Maloney’s Big Moment is being staged at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn on Friday and Saturday, 11 and 12 October.

Jimmy Cricket's new musical is called Maloney's Big Moment

Jimmy’s new musical is called Maloney’s Big Moment

And tickets are on sale now after the show was officially launched on 1 July.

Famous entertainer Jimmy got the idea for the play after reading a newspaper story about a Spanish coastal town electing an English ex-pat as its mayor.

He thought it was a really fascinating scenario, especially as the elected candidate did not have a particular good grasp of Spanish!

This original piece of theatre was first written as a radio play and recorded for a Catholic radio station earlier this year.

And it got its first public showing in front of a live audience at St Vincent’s Parish Centre in Rochdale in April.

Jimmy was keen to convert it into his favourite genre – musical theatre – so he has kept a lot of the dialogue and added to the piece a number of songs. It is based in the fictional town of Costa de Looney.

The proceeds from the musical will go towards the theatre’s roof appeal.

It is a cause near to Jimmy’s heart – he is a very vociferous supporter of live theatre and keeping theatres open.

* The booking office is open from 10am-12.30pm, Monday to Saturday, on 01254 685500.

Shrinking trousers and bumble bees 150 150 mhamer

Shrinking trousers and bumble bees

Jimmy Cricket featured in Rochdale StyleJimmy Cricket featured in Rochdale StyleFamous funnyman Jimmy Cricket has taken centre stage again – this time in a local magazine.

The summer edition of Rochdale Style has a special feature on Belfast-born Jimmy whom it describes as the “town’s adopted son”.

Style is a glossy magazine reporting on society and current affairs in the town of Rochdale.

It was set up by Rochdale-born and bred actor Colin Meredith, who has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years.

Colin wanted to project a positive image of the town and so started publishing Style Magazine.

Jimmy Cricket featured in Rochdale Style

It has been going for around 10 years and, because Jimmy is a local Rochdale-based celebrity, he has featured in the magazine previously.

In the recent interview, Jimmy reveals his favourite comedians and the inspiration behind his famous stand-up act.

He also talks about his Mammy shrinking his trousers, his daughter’s comedy genes and bumble bees.

The latest article about Jimmy was written by Colin’s daughter, Ruth Meredith.

Jimmy Cricket featured in Rochdale Style

From King’s Lynn to Harlow to Dudley 150 150 mhamer

From King’s Lynn to Harlow to Dudley
Jimmy Cricket takes part in the finale to the Music Hall Show in King's Lynn

The finale to the Music Hall Show in King’s Lynn

Jimmy Cricket visited the Corn Exchange Theatre in King’s Lynn as part of the 2013 Music Hall Show tour around the UK.

Jimmy Cricket meets some of the audience at the Music Hall Show in King's Lynn

Jimmy meets some of the audience in King’s Lynn

The Irish comedian is headlining the national tour, which is produced by Mark Andrews Productions and features all the typical hallmarks of a ‘Good Old Days’ format.

It continues at Skegness on Wednesday, 24 July and then, in the autumn, the show visits Cardiff, Nottingham, Harlow, Soham, Redhill, Crewe, New Brighton and Dudley.

More details for each date can be found in the tour dates section of this website.

A big thank-you to Gloria Whitbread for sending in these photographs.

‘Mean club sandwich’ worth the wait! 150 150 mhamer

‘Mean club sandwich’ worth the wait!
Jimmy Cricket is pictured with Frodsham Golf Club's acting manager Dean, Graham, the chef, and bar assistant Charlotte

Jimmy with Frodsham Golf Club’s acting manager Dean, Graham the chef, and bar assistant Charlotte

Jimmy Cricket finally got to perform at Frodsham Golf Club a couple of months later than scheduled.

The well-known Irish entertainer was originally due to be at the Cheshire venue at the end of March.

However, the club at that time was covered in several inches of snow and, as a result, Jimmy was asked if his show could be moved to the warmer climes of early summer and he duly obliged.

Among the people Jimmy met during his visit was Graham the chef and the famous comedian said: “He made a mean club sandwich during my visit!”

Jimmy’s new musical… the big launch 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy’s new musical… the big launch

Jimmy Cricket's Maloney’s Big Moment is being staged at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in BlackburnJimmy Cricket’s new musical takes place in October, with tickets on sale from tomorrow.

Maloney’s Big Moment is being staged at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn on Friday and Saturday, 11 and 12 October.

And Jimmy will be heading over to the theatre for the launch of ticket sales on the morning of Monday, July 1.

The popular entertainer will lending a hand at the theatre’s box office to field phone calls from anyone interested in booking a ticket for his show!

And the number to ring is 01254 685500.

Jimmy Cricket's Maloney’s Big Moment is being staged at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn

Jimmy got the idea for the play after reading a newspaper story about a Spanish coastal town electing an English ex-pat as its mayor.

He thought it was a really fascinating scenario, especially as the elected candidate did not have a particular good grasp of Spanish!

This original piece of theatre was first written as a radio play and recorded for a Catholic radio station earlier this year.

And it got its first public showing in front of a live audience at St Vincent’s Parish Centre in Rochdale in April.

Jimmy was keen to convert it into his favourite genre – musical theatre – so he has kept a lot of the dialogue and added to the piece a number of songs.

The proceeds from the musical will go towards the theatre’s roof appeal.

It is a cause near to Jimmy’s heart – he is a very vociferous supporter of live theatre and keeping theatres open.

The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival 150 150 mhamer

The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival

Jimmy Cricket performed at the Cat Laughs Comedy FestivalJimmy Cricket appeared at the Cat Laughs comedy Festival in the Republic of Ireland.

It was a short trip for the famous Irish entertainer as he flew in and out of Dublin Airport on consecutive days.

He stayed at the Langton House Hotel in Kilkenny, the city that hosts the annual comedy festival, and was very impressed with the hospitality the establishment provided – so much so that he forgot to give his key back and brought it back with him to the UK!

Jimmy said: “Suffice to say I posted back to the hotel via airmail.

“A big thank-you to the festival’s artistic director, Naoise Nunn, for arranging my appearance at the festival.”

The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival was held for the first time in 1995 in response to the burgeoning wealth of Irish comic talent with no clear national outlet for expression.

It has grown from a small event comprising a handful of shows to an internationally acclaimed festival which showcases the very best in Irish and international comedy acts, attracting visitors to Kilkenny city and its surrounding regions.

The world-class programme blends the top Irish and international talent in shows featuring globally renowned comic stars as well as newcomers and breakthrough acts. The festival attracts more than 30,000 visitors annually to Kilkenny.

Jimmy Cricket performed at the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival