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Putting in some overtime! 150 150 mhamer

Putting in some overtime!

Jimmy Cricket and Northern Irish comedienne Victoria ArmstrongJimmy Cricket found the time to fit in an extra performance during a recent trip to Northern Ireland.

He was in the province for the second leg of a tour with the showband, Clubsound, and ended up headlining a show at the Newforge Country Club in South Belfast which was compered by Northern Irish comedienne Victoria Armstrong (pictured right with Jimmy).

Famous Irish comedian Jimmy said: “The event was a fundraising event organised by Paul McCarron who is an emerging comedy prospect in the province in his own right.

“He put a great concert together and everyone at the event had a splendid evening.

“I was able to fit in this event as an additional commitment and was really pleased the schedule allowed me to appear in Paul’s show.

“I wish Paul all the very best with his comedy career and with all the fundraising he is involved with.”

C’mere til I tell you… 150 150 mhamer

C’mere til I tell you…
The article about Jimmy Cricket in the Mid Ulster Mail, written by journalist Gillian McDade

The article about Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket in the Mid Ulster Mail, written by journalist Gillian McDade

Jimmy Cricket has been getting more media attention back in his native Northern Ireland.

An article (above) in this week’s edition of the Mid Ulster Mail, written by journalist Gillian McDade, featured the well-known comedian being awarded a plaque by the chairman of Cookstown council, Cllr Tony Quinn, in tribute to him as one of the town’s most famous sons.

Read more about Jimmy’s successful career here.

Honoured on return to birthplace 150 150 mhamer

Honoured on return to birthplace
Cllr Tony Quinn awards the plaque to Jimmy Cricket who is accompanied by his wife, May

Cllr Tony Quinn awards the plaque to Jimmy who is accompanied by his wife, May

Jimmy Cricket received a special honour on a recent return to the place of his birth.

The famous entertainer was awarded a plaque by the chairman of Cookstown council, Cllr Tony Quinn, in tribute to him as one of the Northern Irish town’s most famous sons.

His visit was part of a tour of the province with the popular Northern Ireland-based showband, Clubsound.

The tour was spread over two legs and the visit to Cookstown’s Burnavon Theatre marked the first date of the second series of shows.

When the local council found out about the visit, they wanted to recognise Jimmy’s achievements by awarding him an honorary plaque.

A proud Jimmy said: “I’ll definitely know where my roots are as the plaque will now feature prominently on my mantelpiece!”

Jimmy was born James Mulgrew on October 17 1945 in Cookstown, before moving to England in the 1970s and settling in Rochdale. Read more about his successful career here.

Maloney’s Big Moment 150 150 mhamer

Maloney’s Big Moment

Cast in Maloney's Big Moment: Colin Meredith, Cyril Walker, Katie Mulgrew (Jimmy’s daughter who is a stand-up comedian), Russell Richardson, Mark Whiteley, Steve Garner, Sarah Groarke-Booth and Jimmy CricketA newspaper story about a Spanish coastal town electing an English ex-pat as its mayor inspired top entertainer Jimmy Cricket to write a new radio play.

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

Famous comedian Jimmy wrote the play after seeing the article and thinking it was a really fascinating scenario, especially as the elected candidate did not have a particular good grasp of Spanish!Radio producer Roger Neale

Joining Jimmy for the recording in early April was a host of locally based actors and actresses.

These included Colin Meredith, Cyril Walker, Katie Mulgrew (Jimmy’s daughter who is a stand-up comedian), Russell Richardson, Mark Whiteley, Steve Garner and Sarah Groarke-Booth (all the cast are in the photo above), alongside the production team of Gerry Coates and Roger Neale.

Roger Neale (right) came all the way from Mansfield to help out with the production of the play.

Gerry Coates, from the internet Catholic radio station called Heart Gives unto Heart, and Jimmy between them made the production happen.

Interestingly, the new radio station has been acquired by the national Catholic newspaper called The Universe and will now become a division under this paper’s banner.

It is hoped during the relaunch of the station that this radio play will feature prominently in the opening week’s schedule – watch out for further details on this website.

:: Thanks to John Kay for providing these two great photos from this event.

Where will Jimmy be at Christmas? 150 150 mhamer

Where will Jimmy be at Christmas?

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamJimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in Billingham, just outside the city of Middlesbrough.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in Billingham

The Irish entertainer will be playing the role of Muddles in a version of Snow White and the seven Dwarves.

The panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

Jimmy posed for the photos on this page last month at a mini press launch which attracted significant interest from the local media. The full launch of the theatre’s Christmas season is not scheduled until the autumn.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamHe said: “I’m excited about visiting the North East again at Christmas time. I have featured in pantos in the region before and each time I have received a very warm reception.

“I am also thrilled to be teaming up with Duggie Chapman again, as previously we worked together on Christmas shows at Southport and Ashton-under-Lyne.

“These pantos were hugely successful, both creatively and on the number of people who came along to see the shows.”

Irish legend and free Irish food! 150 150 mhamer

Irish legend and free Irish food!

Jimmy Cricket with the committee who organised the eventIrish legend Jimmy Cricket was the star act at a recent Gala evening run by the Mansfield and Dukeries Irish Association.

Gerry Molumby comperes with Jimmy Cricket sharing the laughterThe entertainment was organised by Nigel Scott and his hard-working committee and the compere for the evening was Gerry Molumby.

Acts also included guitarist Craig Deller and musical group Acushla.

A valuable prize raffle was included together with free Irish food, which warmed up the capacity audience on a bitterly cold April evening.

The Scott family from Mansfield with Jimmy CricketThe venue was the popular social club Boothys in central Mansfield.

Photos with this story are as follows:

Top – The committee who organised the event with Jimmy.

Above right – Gerry Molumby comperes with Jimmy sharing the laughter.

Above left – The Scott family from Mansfield with Jimmy.

Below – Sue and Gerry Sarson with Julie and Mark Brough.

Sue and Gerry Sarson with Julie and Mark Brough

 

Bumping into an old friend… 150 150 mhamer

Bumping into an old friend…
Jimmy Cricket checks out the measurements of the new stall

Jimmy checks out the measurements of the new stall at Heywood Indoor Market

Jimmy Cricket bumped into a friend whom he had not seen for some time when he attended the 10th anniversary celebration of Heywood Indoor Market.

Her name is Jennifer Shaw who has in the past been a promoter of shows and an events organiser.

Some of the shows she has promoted have involved Jimmy and Buzz Hawkins of The Bradshaws fame.

Jennifer still organises golfing events, but recently she has turned her attentions to a haberdashery stall on Heywood Indoor Market which she took over around a year ago.

Said Jimmy: “I was really delighted to see Jennifer again and wish her well with this new venture.”