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LEP column: Here’s to the king of comedy writers 150 150 mhamer

LEP column: Here’s to the king of comedy writers

Jimmy Cricket's Lancashire Evening Post columnJimmy Cricket remembers legendary comedy writer and close friend, the late Eddie Braben, in one of his recent newspaper columns.

Edwin ‘Eddie’ Charles Braben was best known for providing material for Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. He also worked for David Frost, Ronnie Corbett and Ken Dodd.

He was credited with changing the profile of Morecambe and Wise, helping to turn them into one of the most popular and enduring comedy acts in the history of British entertainment.

Belfast-born entertainer Jimmy, who has lived in Rochdale for many years, recalls in the Lancashire Post how Eddie started out as a market trader, selling fruit and veg from a stall in Liverpool’s St John precinct. In his spare time, he made up jokes.

Jimmy says how nervous he was when he first met Eddie, adding: “That was the start of a beautiful friendship that spanned two TV series, five radio series and even a book of letters from my Mammy.”

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy developed a lasting friendship with Eddie who sadly died aged 82 in May 2013. Below is a newspaper article in which Jimmy paid tribute to his old pal at the time.

Jimmy Cricket pays tribute to Eddie Braben in the Rochdale Observer

Julius Caesar, UK prime ministers and Omnibus 150 150 mhamer

Julius Caesar, UK prime ministers and Omnibus

Jimmy Cricket's column in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket talked about Julius Caesar, British prime ministers and an award-winning play written by one of his daughters in a recent newspaper column.

Writing in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post (LEP), the famous entertainer, 71, mentions Omnibus, which was staged for the first time in Liverpool in June.

Omnibus, written by comedian Katie Mulgrew, was the winner two years ago of the first ever Liverpool Hope University play-writing prize. It is about a group of friends following a soap opera.

And she was given the opportunity to see her debut play on stage when it was performed at the Unity Theatre Liverpool in association with the Royal Court (which was closed for development work) to rave reviews!

Katie Mulgrew’s ‘play is very funny’ – The Stage 150 150 mhamer

Katie Mulgrew’s ‘play is very funny’ – The Stage
Jimmy Cricket and Katie Mulgrew
An award-winning play written by Jimmy Cricket’s daughter, Katie Mulgrew, is being staged in Liverpool this week.
Review of Katie Mulgrew's play, Omnibus

Review of Katie Mulgrew’s debut play in The Stage

Comedian Katie (pictured above with Jimmy) was the winner two years ago of the first ever Liverpool Hope University play-writing prize, with her work entitled Omnibus, which follows a group of friends following a soap opera.

Not only did she earn herself £10,000 in the process, but she was given the opportunity to see her debut play produced by the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool.
And it is currently being performed at the Unity Theatre Liverpool in association with the Royal Court, which is closed for development work, to rave reviews!
The Stage, the world’s oldest and best theatre publication, says in a review: “The plot manages to stay just the right side of plausible to hold the audience’s attention and the play has a satisfying overall shape to it.”
It also tweeted: “Entertaining and very funny debut play by .”
Review of Katie Mulgrew's play, Omnibus
Seven Liverpool sisters in North Wales audience 150 150 mhamer

Seven Liverpool sisters in North Wales audience

Jimmy Cricket with Soul Jam

Seven sisters from the same Liverpool family were in the audience at a Jimmy Cricket show last weekend.

Soul Jam performing

The famous entertainer was performing at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park in RhyI, North Wales, along with Soul Jam, which is made up of Jo, Neil and JT (who are pictured with Jimmy above and performing right).

Jimmy, 71, tweeted afterwards: “A big thank you to the 7 Crummie Sisters who sat at the front for making last night’s show at the Lyon’s Cabaret Club in Rhyl such a joy!”

Six of the sisters are pictured below with Jimmy.

Jimmy Cricket with the Crummie sisters

Special show remembers Liverpool comic Mickey 150 150 mhamer

Special show remembers Liverpool comic Mickey
Johnny Vegas to also feature in film 150 150 mhamer

Johnny Vegas to also feature in film

Johnny Vegas is appearing in the Womble film

Famous actor and comedian Johnny Vegas is to appear in the Womble movie, which is being filmed on location in North Wales and also features entertainer Jimmy Cricket. 

St Helens-born Johnny is well known for his appearances in the hit ITV comedy drama Benidorm and also for popping up in adverts for tea brand PG Tips with a stuffed puppet monkey!

His addition to the cast is another major coup for the people behind Womble the movie, as it also includes top comedian Jimmy, 69, who will play himself as a talent contest judge.

The film is about a man called Aloysius Rupert Womble (played by actor and comedian Tom Spencer), who is in his 30s and living with Asperger’s Syndrome in a typical seaside resort town.

Children and adults affected by Asperger’s Syndrome have difficulty with social interactions and exhibit a restricted range of interests and/or repetitive behaviours.

Aloysius’s dream is to become a stand-up comedian. The film is a week-long snapshot of his life as he goes through the trials of living with a cognitive disorder, while dealing with the injustices forced upon him by society and parts of his community.

Over the seven-day period he prepares for the biggest night of his life – a talent show in his local pub.

The film will feature songs from the Beautiful South’s former lead singer Briana Corrigan and American Pie star Thomas Nicholas, as well as a string of original songs written by songwriters especially for the movie.

Filming under way for Womble movie 150 150 mhamer

Filming under way for Womble movie
Jimmy Cricket with Tom Spencer and actresses Gemma Jones and Georgina Ford

Jimmy with Tom, Gemma and Georgina

Filming for the Womble movie in which Jimmy Cricket will play himself is now under way.

Famous entertainer Jimmy’s cameo role will be filmed on location in North Wales in June and he was recently involved in a photo shoot alongside the central character Womble, played by actor Tom Spencer.

Also at the promotional event, which was held at the Bojangles Theatre, home to the Middleton Popstars Academy in North Manchester, were director Lee Howard, co-writer and actress Gemma Jones, and fellow actress Georgina Ford.

Jimmy said: “I was very grateful to Anne (Marshall, director) and the Popstars organisation for hosting this activity and I am very excited about returning to the theatre later in the year for a show with the Popstars on Saturday the 11th of July.”

The film is about a man called Aloysius Rupert Womble (played by actor and comedian Tom), who is in his 30s and living with Asperger’s Syndrome in a typical seaside resort town.

Children and adults affected by Asperger’s Syndrome have difficulty with social interactions and exhibit a restricted range of interests and/or repetitive behaviours.

Aloysius’s dream is to become a stand-up comedian. The film is a week-long snapshot of his life as he goes through the trials of living with a cognitive disorder, while dealing with the injustices forced upon him by society and parts of his community.

Over the seven-day period he prepares for the biggest night of his life – a talent show in his local pub.

It will feature songs from the Beautiful South’s former lead singer Briana Corrigan and American Pie star Thomas Nicholas as well as a string of original songs written by songwriters especially for the movie.

Top comedian Jimmy, 69, will play himself as a talent contest judge.

Jimmy Cricket and Tom Spencer