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Coronavirus

Come closer folks – more jokes from Jimmy 150 150 mhamer

Come closer folks – more jokes from Jimmy

Jimmy Cricket has continued to keep our spirits up during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

In the run-in to Christmas and over the festive period, Jimmy used social media to keep those topical jokes coming!

Here are some of his funny one-liners:

When the lockdown kicked in, I started walking two miles every day. Yesterday I arrived in Aberdeen.

I’ve just attended a lockdown marriage on Zoom…..The wedding cake had four tiers!

Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.

It’s a shame you’re only allowed one bubble for each household. I was looking forward to having a bath on Christmas Day.

We had a very safe Christmas dinner this year. Even the turkey wore a mask.

One thing about this virus, it helps you re-evaluate your priorities. For instance we don’t have to keep up with the Jones’s, cause the Jones’s are in lockdown like the rest of us.

It’s hard to get away from this virus – I used to wake up to the birds singing… now I hear them sneezing!

Things are so quiet at airports these days that the security people are searching each other.

The only thing bothers me about comedy drive-in shows is that if you get a tough heckler he might just keep bumping his horn.

Century mark

With the help of Mrs Cricket, Jimmy produced 100 daily video messages during the coronavirus restrictions last spring and summer.

The famous Northern Irish comedian hit the century mark in July.

He had been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts each day as the world continued to fight coronavirus.

The UK government first announced on 23 March last year it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

Jimmy had been posting the videos on social media with the message: “We can do this together!”

Also read: Regular Twitter jokes told on video during during coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

Also read: Over and out as Cricket team hit century of videos

Bridlington Spa ‘felt like green shoots of recovery’ 150 150 mhamer

Bridlington Spa ‘felt like green shoots of recovery’

Hi folks! My thanks to stage manager Nigel, here with his partner Edith who was also on lighting tonight on the right of me in the picture, with Oscar who was on sound, to my left tonight at the Spa in Bridlington. It felt like the green shoots of recovery this evening!

Jimmy Cricket felt uplifted after his return to the Bidlington Spa theatre.

The ever-green Northern Irish comedian appeared back at the East Yorkshire venue on Sunday 27 September.

It had been billed as the Comeback Cabaret Show.

He posted the photos above on social media.

Jimmy said: “My thanks to stage manager Nigel, here with his partner Edith who was also on lighting tonight on the right of me in the picture, with Oscar who was on sound, to my left tonight at the Spa in Bridlington.

“It felt like the green shoots of recovery this evening!”

In response to the post, @deanbullen said: “Great to see @jimmy__cricket good as ever at @bridspa. Cheering us up in difficult times.”

Looking forward to my return visit to the wonderful #SpaTheatreBridlington as they reopen their doors with social distancing in place!

Social distancing was among the measures in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Indoor theatres, ice rinks and soft play centres were allowed to reopen in mid-August.

The government placed the United Kingdom into lockdown in late March.

Some areas still have tougher measures in place than others.

Also read: Bridlington Spa: Back from lockdown to laughing!

The Crickets at Christmas – courtesy of Jimmy and May 150 150 mhamer

The Crickets at Christmas – courtesy of Jimmy and May

Here is an idea for a Christmas Show, with applied social distancing in Theatres and venues! Just ring us on 01706 353545 for a booking!

Jimmy Cricket and his wife May have come up with a special Christmas show format in place of the usual panto.

The United Kingdom continues to remain under coronavirus restrictions.

It means it is highly unlikely theatres will be able to stage traditional pantomimes over the Christmas and New Year period.

So Jimmy and May – who goes under the stage name of May Marion – are offering venues, The Crickets at Christmas.

The photo above is of a poster on the homepage of Jimmy’s webpage.

Jimmy explained: “Panto just like Santa, Christmas trees and turkey is a mainstay of our festive season.

“A wonderful opportunity for the whole family to visit the theatre.

Two-hander

“It’s also a two-way process when theatres can put the house-full signs up and take in a bit of cash to help them get through the rest of the year.

“It’s going to be sad this year to pass some of our local theatres and not hear that laughter and applause.

“To help any theatres that don’t want to remain dark and keep a link open to their regular patrons, my wife and I have devised a two-hander Christmas show.

“It will follow government guidelines with social distancing etc, so everyone can feel safe.

“It can be a 90-minute straight through show or an hour each half with an interval.

“Because of limited capacity, we’re happy to do two shows.

“It’s something to keep us going until please God we can all get back to normal.

“Stay safe and healthy everyone!

“Just ring us on 01706 353545 for a booking!”

Also read: What it might be tough to stage pantos this year…

Why it might be tough to stage pantos this year… 150 150 mhamer

Why it might be tough to stage pantos this year…
Dick Whittington cast

Jimmy played Professor Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington in both Ellesmere Port and his adopted hometown of Rochdale across the 2017 festive season

Jimmy Cricket has provided a light-hearted view as to why pantos would be tricky to produce during coronavirus.

The famous funnyman has appeared in many pantos across the decades.

There is a possibility that some may take place over Christmas if the national restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic are not too strict at that time.

Indoor theatres, ice rinks and soft play centres were allowed to reopen in mid-August in most part of the country.

The government placed the United Kingdom into lockdown in late March.

Some areas still have tougher measures in place than others.

Jimmy joked: “It would be hard to do panto this year.

“Cinderella would have to keep a safe social distance from Prince Charming.

“Every time Aladdin rubs the lamp he’ll have to run off stage to wash his hands.

“And it would have to be Snow White and the Six Dwarfs. Well we couldn’t have Sneezy!”

His social media post attracted some comments, including the following:

Saw u a few year back when you done a Christmas show in wisbech. Throughly enjoyed it and grew up watching you on prime time Saturday night tv

He’s 2 meters behind you! Oh no he isn’t!

1st class, loved watching you as a child

:: Jimmy is appearing again at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool.

He also has a show at the Bridlington Spa theatre on Sunday 27 September.

Book tickets for the show here

Also read: Reunion with panto co-star in Clacton-on-Sea

Bridlington Spa: Back from lockdown to laughing! 150 150 mhamer

Bridlington Spa: Back from lockdown to laughing!

Jimmy Cricket is back at the Bridlington Spa later this month.

Looking forward to my return visit to the wonderful #SpaTheatreBridlington as they reopen their doors with social distancing in place!

The popular Northern Irish comedian appears at the East Yorkshire venue on Sunday 27 September (6pm).

Jimmy posted about his return to the theatre on social media.

He said: “Looking forward to my return visit to the wonderful #SpaTheatreBridlington as they reopen their doors with social distancing in place”

The theatre’s website says the following about Jimmy’s return:

Game on….Cricket is back!

It is Jimmy Cricket – the Comedian, with his inimitable style of humour, headlining in what is always a family friendly show, at Bridlington Spa on Sunday the 27th of September 2020.

Jimmy Cricket is one of the UK’s most loved Irish Comedians, having made a host of televisions and radio appearances throughout the last four decades.

Jimmy says, “This virus has cost the lives of so many people and brought untold heartache and misery to their families.

“It’s going to take a while for us all to get over this.

Economically theatres have been hit especially hard so it’s so good to see the Spa Theatre opening its doors to help keep people’s spirits up during these difficult times.”

Speaking of which, when the total lockdown came into effect in March Jimmy posted a joke a day on social media, (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin), to cheer everybody up.

Government guidelines

“Before I knew it I’d done 100 jokes,” said Jimmy.

“So I thought that would be a good goal to finish on.

“You can’t beat the feedback you get from a live audience and the Spa is one of my favourite theatres.

“The show will follow Government guidelines.

“People will keep two Wellie Boot strides away from each other and even the letter from my Mammy will be disinfected.

“Even though there will be restrictions on numbers with seating spaced out, families will be able to sit together. I’m so looking forward to it.”

Indoor theatres, ice rinks and soft play centres were allowed to reopen in mid-August as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

The government placed the United Kingdom into lockdown in late March.

Some areas still have tougher measures in place than others.

Book tickets for the show here

Also read: Jimmy Cricket thanks everyone at the Bridlington Spa

Coronavirus pandemic: The next jam night is cancelled 150 150 mhamer

Coronavirus pandemic: The next jam night is cancelled
Pictures from one of Jimmy's jam nights in 2019

Pictures from one of Jimmy’s jam nights in 2019

Jimmy Cricket has cancelled the next scheduled ‘jam’ night at a parish centre in Rochdale because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

He says in a message to regular show goers he has made the decision “with great sadness”.

But he adds: “We will continue to monitor the situation and we hope to be able to resume our shows as soon as it is safe to do so!”

It comes amid the continuing restrictions first imposed in March across the UK because of coronavirus.

Famous funnyman Jimmy and his wife May host an night of entertainment every couple of months in Rochdale.

It takes place in the lounge area of St Vincent’s RC parish centre in Norden.

They invite different guests who perform free of charge.

It started more about 15 years ago as an opportunity for Jimmy and other performers to try out new routines.

At every event,  there is a raffle and the selling of refreshments, with all proceeds donated to a chosen charity.

The popular comedian has nicknamed those who regularly support these evenings as ‘Jimmy’s Jammers’.

Jimmy has in the past few years alternated hosting the jam nights with good friend and fellow entertainer Eric Devereaux.

‘Unprecedented times’

He messaged the regular jammers this weekend to confirm the planned show in September had been cancelled.

There have not been any shows for the past six months because of coronavirus.

His message read:

“Hi Jammers

We hope everyone is safe and healthy, and that you have managed to keep your spirits up, and have not let the isolation get you down to much!

Just an update in regard to the lockdown situation.

We are indeed living in unprecedented times, never before in the history of showbusiness has all Variety Acts and Theatres ever had to cancel all their shows for the safety of the audience!

This is why our shows at St Vincent’s Parish Centre has not been able to go ahead folks!

Most of us fall into the vulnerable age group, so it is with great sadness that we have to cancel the September 2020 show.

We will continue to monitor the situation and we hope to be able to resume our shows as soon as it is safe to do so!

Meanwhile stay safe and we all look forward to the day when this is but a memory for us all, as we consign it to the history books!

Sending Love and Best Wishes to you all from

Jimmy & May & Eric & Gloria & Kath & Pauline”

Also read: Rochdale jam night is ‘lovely charity evening’

Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Losing the Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a ‘tragedy’ 150 150 mhamer

Losing the Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a ‘tragedy’

Jimmy Cricket says the closure of the iconic Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a "tragedy" for future generationsJimmy Cricket says the closure of the iconic Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a “tragedy” for future generations.

The theatre, which was almost demolished in 1972, could be closed because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Management warned it would shut unless the government intervened.

Most of the 57 staff were furloughed during the lockdown.

They could be left redundant when the job-saving scheme ends on 31 October.

A charitable trust has run the theatre since 1972, when local campaigners saved it from the bulldozers.

Among them were entertainers such as Sir Ken Dodd and BBC broadcaster Alistair Cooke.

It reopened in March 1981 with a performance of The Merchant of Venice starring Timothy West and Prunella Scales.

Like other provincial theatres which depend largely on box office receipts to keep going, the venue has had no income since the lockdown began.

All tickets were refunded for cancelled shows and plays.

‘We must all get together‘

The theatre, which first opened in 1894, had applied for a £500,000 government grant to keep it going until it might be able to put shows on in January.

However, if social distancing measures were still in place then, it would not make the shows viable and also the money would have run out.

Jimmy said: “We must all get together to save the Grand in Blackpool folks.

“To deprive future generations of this wonderful theatre would be a tragedy.”

His post on Twitter attracted hundreds of likes and retweets as well as some comments.

Also read: Grand Theatre in Blackpool hosts charity concert

External link: Blackpool’s Grand Theatre facing closure amid coronavirus pandemic