Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Panto gets perfect lift-off 150 150 mhamer

Panto gets perfect lift-off

Jimmy Cricket gets front page coverage ahead of his latest pantomime at the Charter Theatre in PrestonJimmy Cricket’s latest pantomime received great coverage at its recent media launch.

The famous Northern Irish entertainer will be appearing in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in Preston – where he made his panto debut in 1981 – over the Christmas and New Year period.

Back then, the Rochdale-based funnyman figured in a version of a contemporary pantomime called Robinson Crusoe in Outer Space when he was described as “Britain’s fastest rising TV comedian”.

Ahead of his 27th pantomime season, Jimmy had top billing (above right) on the front page of the 2 September edition of the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post.

Jimmy Cricket and fellow cast members ahead of his latest pantomime at the Charter Theatre in Preston, featured in the Lancashire Evening Post

Inside the newspaper was a two-page spread (left) featuring photographs of all the cast who had assembled for the media launch.

On his arrival in Preston, he will be reunited with the creative team who produced last Christmas’s record -breaking version of Snow White at the Forum Theatre in Billingham, with some of the cast having also been retained.

Jimmy said: “With the nights drawing in and the leaves starting to turn golden, it won’t be long before it is panto time again.

“So it was great to see the local Preston media receive so well the announcement of Snow White at the Charter Theatre. This has got the show off to a great start and I’m looking forward to my return trip to Preston later in the year when the pantomime season starts fully!”

* Jimmy is writing a monthly column for the Lancashire Evening Post in the lead-up to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in Preston.

Jimmy to have monthly newspaper column 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy to have monthly newspaper column

Jimmy Cricket gets front page coverage ahead of his latest pantomime at the Charter Theatre in PrestonJimmy Cricket is to write a monthly newspaper column in the lead-up to his latest pantomime season.

The Lancashire Evening Post has commissioned the articles to coincide with the well-known comedian headlining Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Charter Theatre in Preston – where he made his panto debut in 1981 – over the Christmas and New Year period.

When the Lancashire Evening Post contacted Jimmy through his website editor Martin Hamer – former digital editor at the LEP – about the idea, he thought it was a “very flattering request”.

Jimmy said: “As a result, I did not hesitate to respond positively and am thrilled that my first monthly article is due to be published in the paper’s edition on Monday (22 September).”

He intends to use the article to describe some of the many stories he has collected from more than 30 years of performing in pantomimes.

This includes appearing in many of the major cities and towns across the UK and has also included working with a variety of celebrities from stage and screen.

Added Jimmy: “Hopefully the monthly articles will set the scene for my forthcoming appearance in Snow White at the Charter Theatre at the end of the year.”

Returning to 2012 summer season venue 150 150 mhamer

Returning to 2012 summer season venue

Eastbourne Herald article featuring Jimmy Cricket's return to the Royal Hippodrome TheatreJimmy Cricket is returning to the scene of his 2012 summer season to do his stand-up comedy show at the weekend.

The famous Irish entertainer will perform at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne on Saturday (20 September), two years after his last appearance there.

He was featured earlier this month in the Eastbourne Herald (article clipping above), which read: “This entertainer never stops updating and creating new material.”

The newspaper mentions that Jimmy has just released a song, I was bit by Luis Suarez, which is based on the former Liverpool striker who was banned for four months during this summer’s World Cup for biting an opponent.

Jimmy said: “I am looking forward to seeing the many friends I made during that summer season.

“In fact, these friends have gone on to form a community interest company to manage the Royal Hippodrome Theatre, as the local council were looking for someone to take on this role for them.”

They include Jerome and Carole who own and run the Marine Parade Hotel and Darren Weir who owns the Mowbray Hotel.

Another friend Jimmy will be seeing again is Mike Lee, who is also a partner in the management consortium.

Jimmy said: “Mike is a superb singer who performs a tribute to the great Matt Munroe. I have invited him to appear on my show and am delighted he has agreed!”

To watch the video of I was bit by Luis Suarez, go to the homepage of this website or visit Jimmy’s video channel at YouTube.

And you can pre-order I was bit by Luis Suarez at iTunes.

For all the latest updates on the song and on Jimmy’s schedule and thoughts, go to his Twitter page.

Oh I do like to sing along the prom, prom, prom 150 150 mhamer

Oh I do like to sing along the prom, prom, prom

Jimmy Cricket in Bridlington

Jimmy Cricket did an unscheduled performance on the promenade in Bridlington this summer.

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, the famous entertainer brought his stand-up comedy show to the Spa Bridlington theatre at the East Yorkshire resort.

As Jimmy was about to release his new comedy, I was bit by Luis Suarez, he decided to do some promotion of the song during the afternoon before his show began later that day.

So the Spa management arranged for him to have a pitch on the promenade outside their complex where Jimmy could belt out his new novelty song for those in the vicinity.

Many passers-by were intrigued by what was going on. John – pictured above with Jimmy – was one of those people and his friend, Richard, posted the photo above on Twitter, saying John could not stop mentioning it at work the next day!

The outdoor performance went well for Jimmy and later that day he also had a good crowd turning up to see his comedy show at the theatre – some who maybe came after their Sunday afternoon peaceful stroll along Bridlington Prom had been interrupted by a well-known Northern Irishman!

I was bit by Luis Suarez is based on the Uruguay and former Liverpool striker who was banned for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

To watch the video of the song, visit Jimmy’s video channel at YouTube here.

And you can pre-order  I was bit by Luis Suarez at iTunes.

For all the latest updates on the song from Jimmy, go to his Twitter page.

Skegness reunion for Jimmy, Theo & Wendy 150 150 mhamer

Skegness reunion for Jimmy, Theo & Wendy

Jimmy with Theo the Mouse and Wendy

Jimmy Cricket met up again with TV characters Wendy Abrahams and Theo The Mouse when they all featured in a summer season spectacle at the beginning of August at the Embassy Theatre in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

The show was part of a series of summer performances at the theatre, which also featured Anita Harris, Stu Francis and The Bachelors (see poster below).

Sunday night Startime at the Embassy Theatre in Skegness starred Jimmy Cricket, Anita Harris, The Bachelors, Theo The Mouse and Wendy

The Embassy Theatre line-up was produced by the theatre impresario Mark Andrews.

Although well-known entertainer Jimmy only headlined the first production, all three evenings featured Wendy, who features in CITV’s Sooty Show, and Theo The Mouse, a children’s character created by Wink Taylor. 

Wendy’s partner, Wink, helps out with Theo The Mouse and is also heavily involved with the latest television version of Sooty, which is broadcast on weekend mornings on ITV1.

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy also met Theo and Wendy when he appeared at St David’s Hall in Cardiff, South Wales, towards the backend of last year.

The Facebook page for Theo The Mouse can be found here.

Suarez song goes global 150 150 mhamer

Suarez song goes global

I was bit by Luis Suarez is a song by Jimmy Cricket

Jimmy Cricket’s new song, I was bit by Luis Suarez, has gone worldwide since its release over all digital outlets a week ago.

In addition to being available at  iTunes, Amazon and Tesco, it has even been spotted on a Taiwanese online music store!

Jimmy Cricket's I was bit by Luis Suarez

And media coverage of the song,  which is based on the Uruguay and former Liverpool striker who was banned for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup in Brazil this summer, has been far and wide too.

As well as being featured in the Daily Mirror and in its sister publication, the Irish Mirror, Jimmy’s tune has made it to Africa and to the United States of America.

For anyone interested in an actual CD copy of the song, it can be purchased for £2.50 by ringing the record label Rolling Tear who are the distributors. They can be contacted on 07931 528435.

And there’s more – the B side for the single is a karaoke singalong version of the song!

Jimmy said he was thrilled about the response so far, adding: “I have just been blown away with the interest that has been generated by this comedy song.

“I thought it was such a huge topic during this year’s Brazil World Cup that I just had to have a go at writing a funny take on the story. I am thrilled it has created a bit of a stir and the global attention is something I did not really expect at all!”

To watch the video of the song, visit Jimmy’s video channel at YouTube here.

And you can pre-order  I was bit by Luis Suarez at iTunes.

For all the latest updates on the song from Jimmy, go to his Twitter page.

Helping out at post office relaunch 150 150 mhamer

Helping out at post office relaunch

Jimmy Cricket with Michael Meacher (right) and others at the relaunch of Royton Post Office

Jimmy Cricket was only too pleased to help out an old friend at the reopening of a post office in Greater Manchester earlier this summer.

The famous Northern Ireland entertainer was invited to the special event in Oldham by Paul Couglan, who is the new franchise owner of the revamped Royton Post Office.

Paul, an acquaintance of Jimmy, already runs a successful post office at nearby Moston in north Manchester.

Also present at the relaunch was Michael Meacher, a British Labour politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Oldham West and Royton since 1997.

Jimmy said: ” I was thrilled to be able to support Paul at the start of his new venture. He has always tried to support me over the years with his new musicals and shows.

“I wish Paul all the best with Royton Post Office and hope it’s a major success.”

The event was featured in the 18 June edition of the Oldham Evening Chronicle (see image above).