Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Return to Norfolk theatre named after the late Princess Diana 150 150 mhamer

Return to Norfolk theatre named after the late Princess Diana

My thanks to Editor Elaine Bird @hunny_bird for printing my article about the history of the Princess Theatre in that lovely seaside town of Hunstanton, and how it was named after the late, "Diana Princess of Wales", whom I had met once while doing a Royal Variety Show!

Jimmy Cricket is returning to a theatre named after Princess Diana – whom he once met.

The famous Northern Irish funnyman, 73, will be back performing at the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton, Norfolk, on Sunday (7 July).

Diana, Princess of Wales, was the first wife of Prince Charles and the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry. She died in a car crash in a Paris tunnel on 31 August 1997.

On his imminent return at the weekend, Jimmy posted the photo above on social media, saying: “My thanks to Editor Elaine Bird @hunny_bird for printing my article about the history of the Princess Theatre in that lovely seaside town of Hunstanton, and how it was named after the late, “Diana Princess of Wales”, whom I had met once while doing a Royal Variety Show!”

Book your tickets here for the Hunstanton show.

 

‘The sad but brave story behind the death of WS Gilbert, partner of Sullivan’ 150 150 mhamer

‘The sad but brave story behind the death of WS Gilbert, partner of Sullivan’

This month's @leponline column tells the sad but brave story behind the death of WS Gilbert, partner of Sullivan who together wrote, "The Pirates of Penzance", amongst many more!

Jimmy Cricket talks about one of the greatest theatrical partnerships in history in his latest monthly column in the Lancashire Post.

The famous Northern Irish comedian has been writing regularly for the Preston-based daily newspaper for the past few years.

He posted on social media: “This month’s @leponline column tells the sad but brave story behind the death of WS Gilbert, partner of Sullivan who together wrote, “The Pirates of Penzance”, amongst many more!”

Gilbert and Sullivan were the Victorian-era partnership of the playwright Sir WS Gilbert and the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan.

The two men collaborated on 14 comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado are among the best known.

A FIFTH season lined up at Blackpool’s Lyndene Hotel! 150 150 mhamer

A FIFTH season lined up at Blackpool’s Lyndene Hotel!

Jimmy Cricket at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool, Lancashire

Jimmy Cricket is to spend another season at a venue he describes as his “second home”.

The Northern Irish comedian has had a series of dates at the popular Lyndene Hotel on the Promenade in Blackpool over the past four years.

He performs in two separate lounges on the same night, along with other artists.

And the veteran family entertainer has signed up for another set of shows in 2020 at the Lyndene, which is perched on the seafront and is one of Blackpool’s unique locations as it welcomes tourists and visitors all year round.

Jimmy, 73, posted on social media: “Returning to what has become my second home working alongside many talented singers and old friends like @MALFORDUK, my thanks goes to Claire @TowerTopEnts  and @LyndeneHotel the Manager Paul, and all the Team members for their hospitality and support over the last four years.”🎭

See next year’s dates below and visit the hotel’s website here.

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.

Returning to what has become my second home working alongside many talented singers and old friends like @MALFORDUK , my thanks goes to Claire @TowerTopEnts and @LyndeneHotel the Manager Paul, and all the Team members for their hospitality and support over the last four years

 

Two Yorkshire venues to stage comedy play 150 150 mhamer

Two Yorkshire venues to stage comedy play

Just some publicity for the forthcoming Comedy Play which will be staged around the Yorkshire area, on Thurs 18th July 2019 at the #SpaTheatreBridlington, and then at the #CityVarieties in Leeds, Sat 7th March 2020, would be good to see you there if you live local folks!

Jimmy Cricket’s first play is to be staged at a second Yorkshire venue.

No more Fiffing and Faffing had its debut last September at the Blackburn Empire Theatre and will be performed at the Bridlington Spa theatre on the Yorkshire coast on Thursday 18 July as part of a North of England tour.

It will also be staged at the City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds on Saturday 7 March 2020.

Jimmy posted the photo above on social media and said: “Just some publicity for the forthcoming Comedy Play which will be staged around the Yorkshire area, on Thurs 18th July 2019 at the #SpaTheatreBridlington, and then at the #CityVarieties in Leeds, Sat 7th March 2020, would be good to see you there if you live local folks!🎭”

Veteran comedian Jimmy wrote the play and also stars in it, along with Jonathan Young from The Bachelors and actor Colin Meredith, who has appeared in ITV’s Coronation Street.

 

Jimmy Cricket’s comedy double header in July 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket’s comedy double header in July

Jimmy Cricket will be performing a double header weekend early next month.

Comedy legend Jimmy Cricket returns to the Princess Theatre with his live show that is choc full of one liners, visual comedy, and a brand new letter from his Mammy!The Northern Irish comedian will be at the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-sea, on Saturday 6 July.

Tickets for the show can be found here.

And Jimmy, 73, will be returning to the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton, Norfolk, the following day.

Book your tickets here.

 

Jimmy Cricket will be performing a double header weekend early next month
Houghton Weavers singer Tony Berry was ‘kind, loving and a true gentleman’ 150 150 mhamer

Houghton Weavers singer Tony Berry was ‘kind, loving and a true gentleman’

Jimmy Cricket has paid a warm tribute to Houghton Weavers lead singer Tony Berry who died last week aged 69.

Tony passed away on Thursday evening following a prolonged and brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy said: “Tony Berry was indeed a pleasure to know! He was kind, loving and a true gentleman!

“On stage he had a fine voice and a warm personality. He helped to make the Houghton Weavers one of the best folk groups in the country! R.I.P. old friend!”

Tony Berry was indeed a pleasure to know! He was kind, loving and a true gentleman

Tony’s band mates David Littler, Steve Millington and Jim Berry announced his passing with a special tribute on their website.

The message read: “It is with a very deep sadness that The Houghton Weavers must announce the passing of our much loved lead singer, Tony Berry.

Tony passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, 13th June, at home with his family, following a prolonged illness.

Tony was a wonderfully talented, thoughtful and kind person who touched the lives and hearts of so many over a lifetime of dedication to show business.

Tony will be very sadly missed but will remain eternally in our hearts and thoughts.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony’s family at this difficult time.

God Bless Tony, 
Rest in Peace. 
from all your band mates and loving fans.”

Father’s Day: Why not buy my DVD as a gift?! 150 150 mhamer

Father’s Day: Why not buy my DVD as a gift?!

Jimmy Cricket’s first live DVD, which has sold around 8,000 copies, can be bought as a present for Father’s Day (Sunday 16 June).

Jimmy Cricket Live - Pull Your Seats Forward

And Jimmy will write a personal dedication to make it an even extra special gift!

Jimmy Cricket Live – Pull Your Seats Forward was created by the famous comedian’s family company, Wellie Boot Productions, in 2010.

Belfast-born Jimmy produced the DVD in response to the overwhelming public clamour that suggested there was a real demand for a recording of his stand-up entertainment.

It was filmed at the Royal Court Theatre in Bacup, Lancashire, near Jimmy’s adopted home of Rochdale in Greater Manchester.

The DVD is an hour and 10 minutes long and includes Jimmy’s favourite routines, a phone call and letter from his mammy, his famous Leaving Home poem, his sentimental ballad called I’m Dreaming of a Far off Land and 20 minutes of extras.

It can only be bought via the Go Shopping page on this website or at one of Jimmy’s live shows.

Jimmy tweeted: “Hi Folks, Next Sunday being “Father’s Day”, why not buy pop my DVD “Pull your seats forward”. They cost £12 including postage, and you can buy them via pay pal on my website. The whole family can enjoy it, and if you let me know his name I can write a personal dedication.”

Above is an edited version of a trailer of Jimmy Cricket live at the Royal Court Theatre in Bacup. Journalist and Cricket Times editor Martin Hamer asks Jimmy all about the show in an interview which includes exclusive excerpts from the DVD. The full longer version of the interview can be viewed below.