Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Special charity event for ‘a special lady’ 150 150 mhamer

Special charity event for ‘a special lady’

The gala dinner featuring Jimmy Cricket takes place at the James Hargreaves suit at Burnley Football ClubJimmy Cricket has been asked to be part of a special charity event in May next year.

It will be hosted at Burnley Football Club and all proceeds will go towards the Paula Helm Memorial Fund.

Well-known entertainer Jimmy said: “Paula was a special lady who sadly passed away earlier this year at an unexpectedly young age, as she succumbed to a terminal illness.

“When Paula’s husband, Graham, approached me about appearing at this event, I thought it was such a good cause for a wonderful lady that I found it hard to refuse.

“I have been good friends with Graham for a number of years. In fact, Graham himself conducts one of the top brass bands in the East Lancashire region called the Bacup Scout Band.”

The memorial fund set up in Paula’s name will see the money go towards the valuable work of helping children in the Burnley area, and will also be used to support the care provided by the East Lancashire Hospice.

Those interested in attending the event on Saturday 2 May can place their ticket reservations with Graham by contacting him at 07976 253469.

Carrying on the Walt Disney legacy 150 150 mhamer

Carrying on the Walt Disney legacy

Famous entertainer Jimmy Cricket says the pantomime production of  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Preston will stay true to the original Walt Disney version.

In his latest column for the Lancashire Evening Post, which is based in the Lancashire city where the show is being staged this Christmas, Jimmy says it uses some of the songs from the original film.

The panto, which opened last week at the Charter Theatre and runs through to 3 January,  is a straight transfer from a hugely successful show, which was hosted at the Billingham Forum Theatre in Stockton-On-Tees last year.

Tickets are very affordable for all the family and the show schedule has a range of options, including morning, afternoon and early evening performances.

For more details and to book online, please visit the theatre’s website.

Jimmy Cricket talks about Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in his latest Lancashire Evening Post column

Comedy show to return? You Must Be Joking! 150 150 mhamer

Comedy show to return? You Must Be Joking!

Jimmy is being reunited with fellow Northern Ireland comedians John Linehan (aka May McFetteridge), William Caulfield and Gene Fitzpatrick to create the You Must be Joking show that will tour Northern Ireland in early 2015

Jimmy Cricket is to be reunited with fellow Northern Ireland comedians John Linehan (aka May McFettridge), William Caulfield and Gene Fitzpatrick to produce the You Must Be Joking tour of the province in early 2015.

The event will see the recreation of a successful show that was part of the 2013 Cookstown Comedy Festival (above).

It featured all four comedians in one unique evening of comedy.

Famous entertainer Jimmy said: “As expected, the show was a complete sellout and it was always the plan to tour it around the province at some point in the future.

“With the tour dates now set, it is time to get those chuckle muscles flexed!”

The You Must Be Joking tour schedule:

Wed 28 January – Grand Opera House, Belfast
Thu 29 January – Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey
Sat 31 January – Millennium Theatre, Derry (Londonderry)
Sun 1 February – Market Place Theatre, Armagh

Jimmy is also squeezing in an additional date with his own stand-up show, which is scheduled for Friday 30 January at the Ranfurly Arts Centre in Dungannon.

This extra date will see Jimmy visit the county from where he hails, as he was born down the road from Dungannon in the town of Cookstown in County Tyrone.

Jimmy’s Christmas card features Beckham & co 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy’s Christmas card features Beckham & co

Jimmy Cricket’s 2014 Christmas card features a sketch which took place during this year’s Comic Relief event.

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card features the Only Fools and Horses’ sketch staring regular cast members David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, plus special Comic Relief guest David Beckham

The card recalls the Only Fools and Horses charity scene starring regular cast members David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, plus former England and Manchester United footballer David Beckham.

Famous entertainer Jimmy is included on the card as if he is part of the get-together, and even has the chance to reference his ever-present Mammy!

The Northern Irish comedian has traditionally created his own customised Christmas card based on a topical photo that has represented in some way an event from the previous 12 months.

In 2012 he picked a picture of Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, which was one of the iconic images from the London Olympics.

And last year it was a photo associated with the theft of his concrete wellies, which was widely covered in the media.

Jimmy said: “Hopefully the recipients of this year’s Christmas card will also have a chuckle at the card!”

It’s nearly panto time! 150 150 mhamer

It’s nearly panto time!

Jimmy Cricket is starring in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in PrestonFamous entertainer Jimmy Cricket is about to embark on a return to  his beloved pantomime land.

This year’s destination is the Charter Theatre in Preston for a version of the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Rehearsals for the show began this week ahead of the opening performance on Tuesday (2 December) and Northern Irish comedian Jimmy is really looking forward to what is a  very enjoyable time of year for him.

He said: “I am thrilled to be joining up with cast members who were with me during last year’s Christmas season in the North East, as the Preston pantomime is a straight transfer of a hugely successful show which was hosted at the Billingham Forum Theatre.”

Tickets are very affordable for all the family and the show schedule has a range of options, including morning, afternoon and early evening performances.

For more details and to book online please visit the theatre’s website.

A new comedy song for Christmas 150 150 mhamer

A new comedy song for Christmas

A new Christmas comedy song entitled ‘The Ballad of Harvey the Turkey’ is about to be released by the nation’s favourite Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket.

A new Christmas comedy song called The Ballad of Harvey the Turkey is about to be released by the nation’s favourite Irish comedian, Jimmy Cricket.

It is a lively tale of a turkey being adopted by Jimmy’s family, instead of ending up – as intended – on the Christmas Day platter.

Jimmy has always enjoyed the Christmas season, having headlined nearly 30 festive shows in many major towns and cities over his celebrated career, so it is fitting this king of the pantomime has decided to release a Christmas song.

Specialist comedy record label Rolling Tear are the force behind the song as they think it’s perfect for the 2014 festive season. They have produced the track and the song’s release is scheduled for the beginning of December.

David Tennant from Rolling Tear said: “Christmas is the season when the novelty song reigns. Over the years we have had some great festive tunes from Wizard, The Pogues, Noddy Holder, Cliff Richard and even Benny Hill!

“So we believe here at Rolling Tear that we can keep this tradition alive by working with the much-loved Jimmy Cricket and releasing this seasonal tale about a turkey called Harvey.”

Jimmy said: “Christmas is like no other time in the year. This is the same with the music we listen to, as for a really wonderful reason, we like to listen to feel-good tunes that get us in the mood at this time of the year. So I penned The Ballad of Harvey the Turkey with this in mind.

“And there’s more… it also has a distinct festive theme like no other, as everyone knows about Christmas dinner and how we all look forward to the feast it is.

“Well, this song describes the same glorious anticipation, but with a slightly different comical outcome!”

* Jimmy  is headlining Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in Preston – where he made his pantomime debut in 1981 – over the Christmas and New Year period.

One hundred events to celebrate 100 years 150 150 mhamer

One hundred events to celebrate 100 years
Jimmy and May Cricket with musicians at the centenary event

Jimmy and May Cricket with musicians at the centenary event

Jimmy Cricket appeared at an evening to mark the centenary anniversary of the opening of an Edwardian picture house in Suffolk.

The charming Leiston Film Theatre has celebrated 100 years by staging 12 months of special events, which have all been arranged by the venue’s manager Wayne Burns (below right).

The theatre has even welcomed royalty during 2014, as the Duke of Gloucester paid a visit there a few days after famous entertainer Jimmy attended his event.Jimmy Cricket and others at the centenary event at Leiston Film Theatre

Mr Burn’s target was for the theatre to host 100 special events over the course of its centenary year.

The fund-raising dinner attended by Jimmy was part of the schedule of 100 events and was held at the nearby Thorpeness Country Club.

Jimmy was there with his good lady, May, to support and endorse the theatre as a delightful live entertainment venue and hoping for another successful 100 years!

Jimmy, May and others at the centenary event at Leiston Film Theatre

Jimmy, May and others at the centenary event