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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.”

Return to panto debut venue – 33 years later 150 150 mhamer

Return to panto debut venue – 33 years later

Jimmy Cricket first appeared in panto at the Charter Theatre in preston in Robinson Crusoe in Outer SpaceJimmy Cricket will be appearing in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Preston's Charter Theatre

Jimmy Cricket will be performing in pantomime later this year at the Charter Theatre in Preston – where he made his panto debut in 1981.

The famous entertainer will be appearing in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (poster below) at the Lancashire venue.

It will be 33 years after the Northern Irish funnyman figured in a version of a contemporary pantomime called Robinson Crusoe in Outer Space (left) when he was described as “Britain’s fastest rising TV comedian”.

Since his first foray into the land of fairytales, Jimmy has featured in 26

 

different pantomime productions over the years, taking in theatres across the UK located in:

Belfast, Glasgow, Nottingham, Bradford, Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Darlington, Billingham, Wolverhampton, Truro, Doncaster, Lichfield, Swindon, Torquay, Southport, Ashton-under-Lyme and Weston-Super-Mare.

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.

Some of the cast have been retained for the Preston version, which has delighted Jimmy who is looking forward to a happy return to the Charter Theatre.

2012 – we look back at the highlights 150 150 mhamer

2012 – we look back at the highlights
Jimmy Cricket played Baron Hardup in panto with Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn as Prince Charming

Jimmy was Baron Hardup in panto with Dancing on Ice’s Ray Quinn Prince Charming

Jimmy has had another busy year and as usual he has travelled the length and breadth of the country to meet his touring commitments throughout 2012.

Some of the highlights of the past 12 months include:

– At the start of the year appearing as Baron Hardup in a pantomime version of Cinderella at the Civic Theatre in Darlington

– Headlining the summer show at the Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne, which ran for five months and was presented every Tuesday and Wednesday evening from the first week of May through to the end of September

– Featuring in a northern comedy tour alongside the inimitable Mick Miller

– Appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Sheffield Comedy festival and the new Belly Laughs Belfast comedy festival

– Travelling to venues in Guernsey, Cromer, Torquay, Bridlington, Carlisle, Towyn and Glasgow – to name just a few of the different places visited

– Appearing in BBC 3’s Comedy Marathon which was recorded at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival

– Participating in a recording of the new Sky TV comedy series called John Bishop’s Only Joking

Jimmy said: “I would like to thank all those who came to one of my shows this year or who have bought one of my merchandise items.

“Also thanks to anyone who has followed me on Twitter, decided to be a friend on Facebook or who has viewed one of my clips on YouTube.

“Thanks you all for your continuing support and I hope to see you in 2013!”

Can’t find October dates? Come closer! 150 150 mhamer

Can’t find October dates? Come closer!

Jimmy Cricket and Brotherhood of Man

Struggling to find out what your favourite comedian Jimmy Cricket is up to during October?

Well, come closer!

Technical problems mean that the popular events calendar feature on this website has unexpectedly stopped working – unlike Jimmy who has another busy month ahead.

So please accept our apologies and while we try to rectify the problem, here is Jimmy’s schedule in October – events subject to change, of course.

 

Mon 1st

 Solihull Arts Centre at 1.30pm

 

Tue 2nd

 Sheffield City Hall (Jimmy and Mick)

 

Wed 3rd

 Thameside Theatre, Essex (tenner show)

 

Thu 4th

 Laugh Inn, Chester (Jimmy & Mick)

 

Fri 5th

 Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton

 

Sat 6th

 Blackfriars Arts Centre, Boston (music and Mayhem)

 

Thu 11th

 St Peter’s, Hazel Grove

 

Fri 12th

 St Catherine’s, Didsbury

Sat 13th

 Walmer Bridge Village Hall

 

Sun 14th

 Bucknall Pentecostal Church, Stoke-on-Trent

 

Thu 25th

 Laughing Crow Comedy Club, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow

 

Fri 26th

 Sherburn WMC, Durham

 

Sat 27th

 Acorn Theatre, Worksop

 

Sun 28th

 Thwaites Empire Anniversary Show, Blackburn

 

Tue 30th

 Victoria Hall, Southborough, Surrey

 

Wed 31st

 Victoria Hall, Southborough
Jimmy in comedy marathon on BBC 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy in comedy marathon on BBC
Jimmy Cricket and Mick Miller with a couple of fans before their show in Edinburgh

Jimmy and Mick with a couple of fans before their show in Edinburgh

Jimmy Cricket has taken part in a televised comedy marathon spectacular.

The Northern Irish funnyman was among 40 comedians to perform in the eight-hour overnight show (9pm-5am) at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012 on Friday 17 August.

And Jimmy did not take to the stage until 2.50am!

The show was broadcast throughout the night on the BBC digital channel and BBC3 has edited the event down to a one-hour highlights package which it will screen three times, the first at 9pm tomorrow (Friday 31 August).

Jimmy Cricket and Mick Miller get ready for their show at the Ace Dome

Jimmy and Mick get ready for their show at the Ace Dome

Watch a preview trailer of the programme here, though it is accompanied by a warning about strong language (none from Jimmy, we hasten to add!).

See the line-up of comedians and Jimmy’s profile.

Jimmy was also at the world-famous Edinburgh Festival to team up with one of his contemporaries, Mick Miller, as part of their short tour around the UK which also includes Darlington, Preston, Chester, Sheffield and Manchester.

The ‘Jimmy & Mick 2012 UK Tour’ show in Edinburgh was at a venue called the Ace Dome, which is among several Fringe venues run by the Pleasance company – one of the Fringe’s key venue organisers.

Jimmy said: “I really enjoy working with Mick and feel we complement each other’s style of comedy.

“The show was a sell-out and was well received by spectators and critics alike. The show indeed got this year’s festival talking and I think both of us made an impact!”

During his visit to the Fringe, Jimmy also took part in a podcast with Mick Miller, which was hosted by the young comedy double act Peacock and Gamble.

And after his Ace Dome show with Mick, Jimmy travelled over to the main Pleasance complex to take part in that evening’s version of the Horne Section – hosted by the comedian Alex Horne.

Jimmy ended his set on this show with a rendition of ‘Tequila’, which he played on his saxophone with Alex and his band providing the accompaniment.

Jimmy and Mick get ready to record a podcast with Peacock and Gamble

Jimmy and Mick get ready to record a podcast with Peacock and Gamble

Jimmy meets campaigning grocer 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy meets campaigning grocer
Jimmy Cricket and Robin Blair with some of the plants Robin donated to Darlington Civic Theatre

Greengrocer Robin Blair shows Jimmy Cricket some of the plants he donated to Darlington Civic Theatre

Jimmy Cricket met a campaigning greengrocer on a recent visit to Darlington where he will be appearing in a stand-up show.

The famous Irish comedian had a walk around the town and chatted to local celebrity Robin Blair, who was recently awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Robin has donated plants to brighten up the Conservatory Bar plaza at the Darlington Civic Theatre and also regularly provides baskets of fruit in the dressing rooms for visiting entertainers.Jimmy and Robin have a chat during a walk around Darlington

The 67-year-old, who has been a grocer for more than 50 years, received the British Empire Medal for his services to the community of Darlington.

Over the years, he has campaigned to keep markets alive and against too many supermarkets taking away their trade.

Robin, who joined his father John Joseph’s stall officially at the age of 15 but had helped out on it since he was seven, said one of the highlights of his job was putting free fruit baskets in the dressing rooms and receiving messages of thanks – including from Ken Dodd.

Jimmy Cricket is returning to the Civic Theatre in Darlington just months after appearing on the same stage as Baron Hardup in a pantomime version of Cinderella.

This time, he will be doing his usual stand-up and is teaming up with fellow comedy legend Mick Miller.

In addition to the Darlington appearance on Wednesday 11 July, the Jimmy and Mick Show tour also includes Preston, Chester, Sheffield, Manchester and Edinburgh.

From Cinders to stand-up 150 150 mhamer

From Cinders to stand-up

Comedy legends Mick Miller and Jimmy Cricket to team up in Darlington

Comedian Jimmy Cricket is returning to the Civic Theatre in Darlington – just months after appearing on the same stage as Baron Hardup in a pantomime version of Cinderella.

This time around, Jimmy is down to do his usual stand-up and is teaming up with fellow comedy legend Mick Miller.

Jimmy enjoyed his time in Darlington so much at Christmas that he could not wait to get back to the civic theatre. When a date was found over the summer, he did not need think twice about it.

He found the Darlington audiences very warm and receptive, and so he now wants to perform the stand-up for which he is famous.

Mick Miller received plenty of praise and plaudits after his appearance in last December’s Royal Command Variety Performance which was broadcast on ITV.

In addition to the Darlington appearance on Wednesday 11 July, the Jimmy and Mick Show tour also includes Preston, Chester, Sheffield and Manchester. It is even down to visit the world-famous Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August.

Jimmy said: “It is a great thrill to be returning to the civic theatre in Darlington after appearing in the theatre’s pantomime last Christmas.

“I am especially excited as people who came to see the panto will now get a chance to see me perform my stand-up.

“Darlington has a great theatre which is really ideal for us comedians as it has an intimate setting that creates a great atmosphere. The evening in question brings together two fine exponents of the arts of comedy and this is a comedy treat that should not be missed.”

Mick said:  “This date in Darlington kicks off mine and Jimmy’s tour together, and I know we are going to have a barrel of laughs over the different dates.

“But I cannot think of a better starting point than Darlington. If you want a giggle or two, then hop down to the civic theatre because with the two of us on stage, it is going to be madcap fun and laughter all the way.”

* Stay up-to-date with all Jimmy Cricket’s forthcoming shows here