Posts Tagged :

jokes

‘The consummate showman’ 150 150 mhamer

‘The consummate showman’
Review of Jimmy Cricket and May Marion from 4 February at the Clwyd Theatre Cymru in Mold, Flintshire, North Wales

Jimmy and May appeared at the Clwyd Theatre Cymru in Mold, North Wales

“Jimmy’s 40-plus years in the business shone through, endorsing him, if endorsement was needed, as the consummate showman.”

Comedian Jimmy Cricket received a magnificent reception and much acclaim when he appeared at the Clwyd Theatre Cymru in Mold, Flintshire, North Wales, with his wife, singer May Marion.

Above is a review from The Evening Leader newspaper which enthused: “The audience left delighted and Mold Methodist Church was better off to the tune of £1,600 towards its renovation plans.”

Joined on stage by a local councillor 150 150 mhamer

Joined on stage by a local councillor
Comedian Jimmy Cricket with sisters Katie and Rebecca who attended his show at St Joseph's Parish Centre in Heywood

Jimmy Cricket with sisters Katie and Rebecca who attended his show at St Joseph's Parish Centre in Heywood

Rochdale comedian Jimmy Cricket was joined on stage by a local councillor at a recent charity show.

The Irish funnyman was performing at St Joseph’s Centre in Heywood to help raise money for the Roman Catholic parish.

Counc Peter Rush, who represents the Heywood North ward and ran the town’s Albany Hotel on Rochdale Road East for a long time, went on stage to join Jimmy and his wife May and their good friend Eric Devereaux, a well-known singer on the North West entertainment scene.

Jimmy also had his picture taken alongside sisters Katie and Rebecca who were in the audience.

Their mum Nicola told Jimmy: “We had an amazing time on Friday night at St Joseph’s. We hope that you will come again very soon to do another show. Take care and keep entertaining.”

Curtain set to fall on Jimmy’s panto season 150 150 mhamer

Curtain set to fall on Jimmy’s panto season
Jimmy Cricket and Ray Quinn - and dog

Jimmy Cricket and Ray Quinn - and dog

Jimmy Cricket’s marathon pantomime season is coming to an end (oh yes it is! sorry – ed).

The famous Irish comedian has been appearing in Cinderella at the Civic Theatre in Darlington since 3 December. Its last show is on Sunday (15 Jan).

Other celebrities alongside Jimmy, who plays Baron Hardup, include Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn (Prince Charming) and and former Emmerdale actress Deena Payne (Fairy Godmother).

The pantomime has been praised in media circles with the British Theatre Guide saying:
“Michael Vivian’s script provides a faithful re-telling of the classic fairy tale; it is beautifully designed and costumed; there is a nice balance of pop hits and original songs, and the choreography is tight and slick.”

Other good reviews of the show can be found at The Stage website and Whatsonstage.

And view a musical slideshow featuring many of the show’s cast on the homepage of this website or on Jimmy’s YouTube channel here

Celebrities support toy giveaway 150 150 mhamer

Celebrities support toy giveaway
A special photo call was staged to mark the toy giveaway. Photo by Ian McClelland

A special photo call was staged to mark the toy giveaway. Photo by Ian McClelland

The festive pantomine in which Jimmy Cricket is currently starring has been well-received by the critics.

Cinderella is on at the Civic Theatre in Darlington until Sunday January 15.

The cast features Jimmy, who plays Baron Hardup alongside Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn and former Emmerdale actress Deena Payne.

Recent good reviews of the show can be found at The Stage website and Whatsonstage.

Jimmy and other panto stars agreed to take part in a special photo call to mark a toy giveaway for underprivileged children.

The event was sponsored by a local Darlington car dealership called Jennings Ford and also involved the Salvation Army.

Despite a busy schedule, Jimmy, Ray – who plays Prince Charming – and Deena (Fairy Godmother) took time out from the busy rehearsals to offer their support to the appeal.

Jimmy poses with a child in the theatre foyer after one of the panto performances

Jimmy poses for a picture with a child in the theatre foyer after one of the panto performances

Last year about 7,000 children and 2,000 families across the North East of England were supported with presents and a further 1,000 individuals received food over the Christmas period.

For the past 13 consecutive years, Jennings Motor Group has supported the appeal by using its branch network across the region as drop-off points for staff and members of the public.

Ray Riaz, general manager at Jennings Ford’s Yarm Road dealership in Stockton, said: “We were delighted that the cast of this year’s pantomime could help out with the appeal. The Salvation Army does an absolutely amazing job helping those in the local community, not just at Christmas time but all year round.”

Anyone wanting to buy tickets for the panto should ring 01325 486 555 or visit the website at Darlington Civic Theatre and Arts Centre.

Jimmy gives his autograph in the theatre foyer after one of the panto performances

Jimmy gives his autograph in the theatre foyer after one of the panto performances

‘Nice to be friends on Facebook’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Nice to be friends on Facebook’
Jimmy and Gary Winstanley at Whelley Labour Club in Wigan

Jimmy and Gary Winstanley at Whelley Labour Club in Wigan

Jimmy Cricket has been emailed this picture by Gary Winstanley.

It was taken at Whelley Labour club in Wigan where the famous Irish entertainer performed a few years ago.

Gary says: “Not sure of the exact date now, but I think it was 2008. It was a great night and a pleasure to meet you.

“Nice to be friends on Facebook. Keep up the good work.”

Francis House says thanks 150 150 mhamer

Francis House says thanks
Pictured, from left: David Ireland from Francis House, comedian Jimmy Cricket, David Martin,executive director of the Coliseum theatre, and the show’s producer, Jim Nicholas

Pictured, from left: David Ireland from Francis House, comedian Jimmy Cricket, David Martin,executive director of the Coliseum theatre, and the show’s producer, Jim Nicholas

The organisers of a charity event at the Coliseum in Oldham earlier this year returned to say thank-you to the theatre for hosting the show which was a huge success.

Jimmy Cricket helped to raise more than £6,000 for a Manchester-based charity at the two-night extravaganza in October.

The famous Irish comedian appeared in the “Stars Come Out”, along with husband and wife comedy duo The Krankies and sixties Merseybeat band The Swinging Blue Jeans, of “You’re no Good” and the “Hippy Hippy Shake” fame. The show also featured the Dobcross Youth Band.

An extra night was added after the originally-planned one-day performance was sold out.

The money from the shows went to Francis House Children’s Hospice, which is based at Didsbury in Manchester. The Hospice cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions and provides a home from home where families can receive professional care, support and friendship.

The charity’s director, David Ireland, also participated in the recent thank-you visit, along with Jimmy Cricket who said: “The show was a resounding success and raised buckets-full of cash for the charity.

“This was the fourth edition of the show and it continues to be really well-supported. The money raised will enable the Francis House Children’s Hospice to be able to continue the important work they do of caring for the region’s very sick children.”

“I hope the show can return for number five in the spring of 2013!”

Meet the Wooden Hut Club 150 150 mhamer

Meet the Wooden Hut Club
Members of the Wooden Hut Club

Members of the Wooden Hut Club

November saw the latest gathering of the informal showbiz fraternity group that Jimmy Cricket attends, which is lovingly called the “Wooden Hut Club”.

Conveniently for Jimmy, the location where this get-together takes place is in Rochdale. It was felt Rochdale was well placed on the M62 between Manchester/Cheshire and Yorkshire for his showbiz pals to get to. After the first ‘do’ was successfully held at the Royal Toby Hotel restaurant on Manchester Road in Castleton, the club have met there ever since.

This gathering has been meeting on and off for last four years and, as you can see from the photo, there was a large number who attended the last lunch showing it is well supported. This is probably because it is a rare chance for showbiz professionals to come together and catch up with the industry news – and of course reminisce about old times.

Some of the individuals in the photo with Jimmy are: Buzz Hawkins from ‘The Bradshaws’, ‘The Comedians’ producer Johnnie Hamp, impressionist Johnny More, BBC radio producer Steve Garner, comedy script writer Phil Collinge, the wife of former BBC radio comedy producer Mike Craig, Treflyn Jones from Target television and entertainer Eric Devereaux.