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Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Plugging Katie’s show at Edinburgh Fast Fringe 150 150 mhamer

Plugging Katie’s show at Edinburgh Fast Fringe

Jimmy Cricket's September column in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket did a spot of promoting at this year’s popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe – but not for his own show.

The famous entertainer was there primarily to support his daughter, comedienne Katie Mulgrew, and that included some baby-sitting.

Katie, below right, had her own show at this year’s festival fringe called Saboteur.

Katie Mulgrew, Jimmy Cricket's daughter, had her own show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe called Saboteur

Jimmy, 70, not only popped along to see her act, but was present in Edinburgh to help look after his grandson, Jim, who is Katie’s nearly one-year-old baby.

And he ended up plugging her performance in a brief bit of his own stand-up at the Fast Fringe – as he told readers of his latest column in the Lancashire Evening Post.

“Comedians who have a show up in Edinburgh can go on the Fast Fringe and do a three-minute spot,” explained Jimmy.

“Then at the end of it, they say something like: ‘Well folks, if you’ve enjoyed my little stint, perhaps you might like to see my full 60-minute set. In that case, I’m appearing at…’ then they mention the location of their gig.

“… As I didn’t have a show of my own, when I finished my set I plugged Katie’s show instead.

“Well, I had a stab at this but as I struggled to remember the exact location, I heard my daughter’s voice from the audience shout ‘Sunnyside Social Club, Barraclough Street’.

“Well, you’ll have to admit it’s a bit of a tongue twister.

“A few days later, I went to see Katie’s show and I was as proud as punch!”

Baby sitting, Jive Aces & meeting ‘Big Bird’ at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 150 150 mhamer

Baby sitting, Jive Aces & meeting ‘Big Bird’ at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Fun and games at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 150 150 mhamer

Fun and games at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Jimmy Cricket's August column in the Lancashire Evening PostJimmy Cricket has recalled when he performed at the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe – and how disaster struck.

Big names from the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers take part in the annual festival, with genres including theatre, comedy, dance,  circus, cabaret, children’s shows, musicals, opera and music.

According to Wikipedia, it is the world’s largest arts festival, with the 2014 event spanning 25 days and featuring over 3,193 shows from 51 countries on hundreds of stages.

It takes place every August for three weeks in Scotland’s capital city.

In his latest column in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post, famous comedian Jimmy, 69, says how he came to perform at the festival and what happened when he did.

“It was about 17, maybe 18, years ago and a summer show in Blackpool I was booked to appear at fell through,” he explains.

“I was busy trying to fill my diary with whatever work I could get, when an agent rang and said did I want a slot in Edinburgh during the festival.

“My contribution to the Edinburgh Fringe back during that first visit was a very family affair. My two sons and nephew came with me as a backing band – and a motley crew we all must have seemed.

“Disaster struck on the second day! You see, after our set was finished at 9pm, I would mosey back to the guest house that Mrs Cricket had booked for all of us.

“However, my sons and nephew being in their twenties – in other words, full-blooded whipper snappers – would go out and paint the town.”

Jimmy recalls that on the second morning, he awoke to find that his car had been towed away as his sons and nephew had parked it the previous night without realising it was on double yellow lines.

A trip to the police station and a £60 fine later, and Jimmy was able to carry on with his festival performances.

He said he forged a lot of good friendships during his visit to Edinburgh, including well-known comedians Tim Vine and Milton Jones – “two guys who prove that you can be hilarious and still be clean”.