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blackburn

Jimmy meets his ‘half-brother’ – made of sugar! 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy meets his ‘half-brother’ – made of sugar!

Jimmy Cricket with Julie Sharkey who created the miniature model of the famous comedianJimmy Cricket met a miniature model of himself when he recently visited the Oswaldtwistle Arts Centre in Lancashire.

The famous entertainer had gone to the centre to see how preparations were going for his stand-up comedy show scheduled for the end of February there.

His visit coincided with a Craft and Natter session (picture below) dedicated to the skill of sugar crafting.

Much to his amazement, when Jimmy arrived at the arts centre he was greeted by himself in miniature.

The group leader, Julie Sharkey (pictured right), had created a small figure of Jimmy to mark his visit to see the group. It had incredible detail of the comedian, even to the length of including those iconic wellington boots.

Jimmy was thrilled with the model and even joked that it was his half-brother!

The pictures were taken by photograph Tim Bradley – visit his website at www.timbradleyphotography.com or social media page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tim-Bradley-Photography/200909469950660

Jimmy Cricket with the Craft and Natter group at Oswaldtwistle Arts Centre

Sweep dreams from the early 1990s 150 150 mhamer

Sweep dreams from the early 1990s

Sweep Dreams, starring Jimmy Cricket

A picture montage (above) based on a silent comedy film in which Jimmy Cricket starred has been sent to the famous Northern Irish entertainer more than two decades after it was made.

The sender was the Reverend Lawrie Adams who worked with Jimmy on a film project in the early 1990s.

At the time, Rev Adams was based at a church in the pretty town of Whalley in East Lancashire and he was in charge of  BDTV – Blackburn Diocese Television.

Now a retired vicar living in Cheadle, Cheshire, Rev Adams recently went to see one of Jimmy’s shows at the Plaza Theatre in Stockport.

The project  they worked on was called Sweep Dreams, a short, silent, comedy piece featuring Jimmy as a street sweeper in and around the Lancashire coastal resort of Lytham St Annes.

Rev Adams directed the piece and his two daughters – Fiona and Tracey – were also part of the production team.

The week’s filming in 1992 was completed on location in and around the notable landmarks of the resort ie the beach, promenade and bandstand, and, as you would expect, the theme of the film was Jimmy getting into all sorts of scrapes and mischief!

Although the project was never broadcast on television – interesting because this film pre-dated Mr Bean which became a success in the same silent comedy genre a few years later – much fun was had by all who were involved.

Jimmy said he enjoyed his time on location, adding: “It was really nice that 20 years later I was able to hear again from the Rev Lawrie and to receive the montage which brought back many fond memories.”

‘Happy & thrilled’ at musical’s success 150 150 mhamer

‘Happy & thrilled’ at musical’s success

The opening night of the premiere of Jimmy Cricket’s new musical, Maloney’s Big Moment. The photo was taken backstage at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn and features Jimmy with the cast of the show, alongside the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn

Famous comedian Jimmy Cricket said he was “happy” and “thrilled” following the successful launch of his new musical.

Large audiences turned out to watch the two-night premiere of Maloney’s Big Moment at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn earlier this month.

Jimmy said: “For both performances, more than 80% of tickets were sold, which for an original piece of theatre is a tremendous return. I am just thrilled I was able to get this new musical off the ground.

“I must thank the talented cast who only assembled really at the last minute, the fine musicians who made up the band, and the theatre’s technical staff for all coming together and delivering two performances of the show without much rehearsal time.

“I am also really happy that so many friends, colleagues, supporters and interested spectators came to support the show in such huge numbers.”

Above: Jimmy is pictured with the cast of the show, alongside the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn, back stage at the theatre on the opening night of the musical.

Working with a theatre stalwart 150 150 mhamer

Working with a theatre stalwart

Jimmy Cricket is getting help from a theatre stalwart as preparations are stepped up for his new musical in the autumn.

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

Jimmy Cricket with Eric Nolan at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn

Jimmy Cricket with Eric Nolan at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn

And a vital member of Jimmy’s team is Eric Nolan who runs the Blackburn Drama Club and produces four plays a year at the theatre.

He also presents plays at the Library Theatre in Darwen and last year produced one on the Indian icon, Ghandi.

Well-known entertainer Jimmy said: “Eric is a great advocate for the Thwaites Empire Theatre and helps raise loads of funds to keep the theatre going.

“I am looking forward to working with Eric on my show.”

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

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.

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.