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comedians

All aboard for comedy, music and dance! 150 150 mhamer

All aboard for comedy, music and dance!
Family variety summer show poster

The family variety summer show will take the audience on a nostalgic trip

Jimmy Cricket is starring in a “royal” variety show this summer to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

The family entertainment extravaganza, Sentimental Journey, is at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, from 1 May to 26 September.

And it will take the audience on a nostalgic trip back to the 1960s and beyond.

Jimmy will be joined by fellow comedians Barry Moon and Mike Lee, world-renowned tribute acts Colin Gold and Tracy Lea – who perform as Billy Fury and Connie Francis respectively – and the Show Time Dancers.

Colin, who starred on ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes, has gone on to become one of the most experienced and acclaimed Billy Fury acts in the world. Halfway to Paradise was one of Fury’s best-known songs.

Stars in Their Eyes was a British television talent show that was screened on Saturday nights from 21 July 1990 to 23 December 2006 and in which contestants impersonated showbiz stars.

Connie Francis’ greatest hits included Who’s Sorry Now, Lipstick on Your Collar and Stupid Cupid.

Performances are at 8.15 each night. Tickets cost £12 and £17 – go here for more information.

The comedian and the birthday girl 150 150 mhamer

The comedian and the birthday girl
Jimmy Cricket with birthday girl Sandrea

Jimmy Cricket with birthday girl Sandrea

Jimmy Cricket had this photograph taken with a lady called Sandrea at The Royal Toby restaurant in Rochdale when he was last there with the Wooden Hut Club – his showbiz fraternity luncheon club.

Sandrea goes to a local Rochdale gym and it was her birthday, so to celebrate she and some friends decided to have lunch at the Royal Toby.

Famous comedian Jimmy – being his usual gregarious self! – not only went over to have a chat, but managed to get this snap of him and the birthday girl.

Jimmy opens theatre charity shop 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy opens theatre charity shop
Jimmy cuts the ribbons to open the new theatre charity shop

Jimmy cuts the ribbons to open the new theatre charity shop

Jimmy Cricket has had the honour of officially opening a theatre’s new charity shop.

The Irish funnyman is a patron of the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, along with fellow comedian Roy Hudd.

Jimmy has a soft spot for the venue, having done a couple of summer seasons there in the last five years, and so put on a show there recently as a fundraiser.

The newspaper article about Jimmy Cricket

The newspaper article about Jimmy Cricket

The theatre has lately had its council grant withdrawn, but benefited by approximately £1,000 from Jimmy’s show.

Jimmy said: “This was not the end of the story though.

“West Cliff Theatre decided to open a second-hand charity shop as part of its fundraising drive, along the lines of the usual ones associated with British Heart Foundation, Scope et al – there are a fair few of these in Rochdale.

“So I marked my latest visit to the town with a double strike: not just the show, but I was invited to officially open the theatre’s new charity shop. I duly performed the honours during the lunch hour and then performed at the theatre in the evening!

“Hopefully, my contribution to the two events will have helped in some small way to keeping the theatre going.”

Jimmy added: “I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing theatre manager, Mike Bareham, for all his hard work over the years. His commitment and dedication to the theatre have been magnificent.

Jimmy with Jennifer who posted the newspaper article on Facebook

Jimmy with Jennifer who posted the newspaper article on Facebook

“The new theatre manager is Andy Jeffrey who I have known for quite some time.

Jimmy with fans Erika and Anna in Clacton-on-Sea

Jimmy with fans Erika and Anna in Clacton-on-Sea

“This is because Andy worked at the Weston-super-Mare Playhouse when I did their pantomime a few years ago. Andy is about to take over the reins very shortly and this is an exciting new chapter for the theatre.

“He is steeped in theatrical know-how and already has some fresh ideas and new thinking as the theatre enters a phase where it will have to be more self-reliant in the future.”

Meeting a magician 150 150 mhamer

Meeting a magician
Danny Lee Grew with Jimmy and, left, Norman Jacobs, chairman of the charity which runs West Cliff Theatre

Danny Lee Grew with Jimmy and, left, Norman Jacobs, chairman of the charity which runs West Cliff Theatre

Jimmy Cricket was treated to a magic trick by a fellow entertainer at an Essex theatre.

Danny Lee Grew, a London-based magician, performed a piece of magic involving a sponge to the delight of famous Irish comedian Jimmy and Norman Jacobs, chairman of the charity which runs the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea.

Danny was one of the first performers to entertain at the new Olympic Stadium in Stratford, East London. He entertained a 5,000-strong crowd with his close-up magic and also performed for many celebrities throughout the day.

He is the resident magician for Marvin’s Magic at Hamleys toy store and Harrods of Knightsbridge, and was a Bluecoat entertainer at Pontin’s Holiday Park in Prestatyn, North Wales.

Celebrities other than Jimmy who have seen Danny’s magic include musician Peter Andre, pop band Madness, Duncan Bannatyne of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and players from West Ham United Football Club.

Visit Danny’s website here

Video of the trick can be seen on the homepage of this website.

Back to Belfast 150 150 mhamer

Back to Belfast
Jimmy Cricket and Gerry Kelly

Jimmy Cricket and Gerry Kelly

Jimmy Cricket returned to his roots recently.

The well-known Belfast-born comic went back to his native city to watch a musical and do a phone-in on a radio show.

He explained: “We received some photos from the foyer of the Grand Opera House in Belfast where I went to see my grand niece in the musical Annie.

“I’m pictured with famous Northern Ireland television and radio presenter Gerry Kelly. I was doing a live phone-in on Gerry’s very popular radio series. Before going into the media Gerry studied to be a teacher in Heywood.”

Jimmy is also pictured with members of the amateur dramatics society.

Why Jimmy is so fond of Midlands town 150 150 mhamer

Why Jimmy is so fond of Midlands town
Sutton Coldfield Observer preview of Jimmy's latest performance in the town

Sutton Coldfield Observer preview of Jimmy's latest performance in the town

Jimmy Cricket is to appear in a charity show in a town which has a special place in his heart.

The famous Irish comedian is performing at the Falcon Lodge Youth and Community Centre in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, West Midlands, on Friday 30 March.

It means Jimmy will also be able to see his youngest son, Frankie, who is training to be a Roman Catholic priest at nearby Oscott College.

He told the Sutton Coldfield Observer: “I love that neck of the woods. I was there in November for a Help the Heroes night and I’m really looking forward to returning, both to perform and to see my son.”

The profits from the show will go to the Carpenter’s Arms Community Centre which is operated by the Sutton Central Churches Trust.

For tickets to the show, ring the Falcon Lodge centre on 0121 378 1555.

"It was the way he told them"
Tribute to the late Frank Carson 241 179 mhamer

Tribute to the late Frank Carson
Comedian Frank Carson

Comedian Frank Carson

Jimmy Cricket has paid a warm and glowing tribute to fellow comedian and great friend Frank Carson who died this week aged 85.

Frank, who like Jimmy was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, passed away on Wednesday after battling ill health for some time.

Famous for his comic sayings “it’s a cracker” and “it’s the way I tell ’em”, Frank rose to prominence in the 60s after winning Opportunity Knocks.

He leaves a wife, Ruth, daughter Majella and sons Tony and Aidan, and 10 grandchildren.

Belfast City Council has opened a book of condolence in Frank’s memory.

Jimmy said: “There are some comedians who can read a telephone directory and make it sound funny. Frank was one of them. His inflection of voice, facial expressions and delivery could make the oldest gags seem fresh and hilarious.

“He was quite inspirational to the likes of me. I saw him leave Northern Ireland and make it big in the UK and this motivated me to do the same.

“I actually headed for Liverpool and presented myself at the office of his then agent, Ernie Mack. He gave me a warm welcome but explained I needed experience. He then rang his star comedian and asked him there and then to have a word with me.

"'Unstoppable enthusiasm"

"Unstoppable enthusiasm"

“Frank said: ‘Try and work every night, even if it’s for nothing. That way you’ll polish up your jokes by putting a word in here and leaving a word out there.’

“Looking back now on that telephone conversation 45 years on, I now see it was a masterclass on how to be a stand-up comedian. When it was over I said: ‘Well Frank, thanks for your advice.’ He said: ‘It’s not advice you want, it’s money!’

“Frank was one of the funniest comedians there ever was both on and off the stage. He spent his life cheering people up and his enthusiasm was unstoppable. He lit up every room he went into.

“He could do his act in a hotel, chat to everybody until two in the morning and be the first one up for breakfast.

“His was a tireless fundraiser for worthy causes and one of his proudest possessions was the Order of the Knighthood of St Gregory. This was bestowed on him by Pope John Paul II in recognition of his work for charity.

“Like a singer has hit tunes, Frank had hit jokes that people wanted to hear over again.

“Because quite simply it was the way he told them.”

* Pay your own tribute to Frank using our comment form below.

Top entertainers: Frank Carson with Jimmy Cricket, Paul Daniels, Cannon and Ball, and the Krankies

Frank Carson with Jimmy Cricket, Paul Daniels, Cannon and Ball, and the Krankies