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music

Lasagne with the Coleman family 150 150 mhamer

Lasagne with the Coleman family

Jimmy Cricket and the Coleman family at the Empress Hotel

Jimmy Cricket and the Coleman family before the charity show at the Empress Hotel on the Isle of Man

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket helped to raise £1,500 for a local Lourdes youth group in a show on the Isle of Man.

Last Friday’s (10 February) Jimmy Cricket Laughter Show at the Empress Hotel in Douglas was a fund-raiser for the annual Liverpool Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes.

The youth group is run by Sheila Signorio from the local Catholic Church.

Before the show Jimmy sat with the Coleman family and they all tucked into lasagne!

Afterwards Brian Coleman said: “Thanks again for a brilliant night Jimmy, please come again!”

‘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

Jimmy’s friend Patti Gold celebrates 60th birthday 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy’s friend Patti Gold celebrates 60th birthday

Jimmy, his wife May (right) and good friend Patti

Jimmy, his wife May (right) and good friend Patti

Jimmy Cricket recently attended the 60th birthday of a good friend of his, the former singer Patti Gold.

The bash was hosted at Patti’s local golf club in Wakefield called Higher Lane Golf Club.

Patti and Jimmy go back a long way and although Patti has now left the business, her husband is still heavily involved and is an excellent musical director called Stuart Gold, who used to be the main musical director at the legendary Batley Variety Club and has worked with some of the most famous singers and entertainers in the country.

Patti actually featured in Jimmy’s first television series on ITV of “And There’s More” way back in the mid 1980s as one of the supporting cast members. Alongside Patti was impressionist Rory Bremner. This was Rory’s first break on television before he launched himself on a bigger platform.

Jimmy said: “I really enjoyed myself at Patti’s party and am thrilled I have been able to keep in touch with her for all these years.

“Although Patti left the business a number of years ago to work in IT, interestingly enough she has recently taken a job working in a dance and drama school, so she is re-introducing herself slowly back into the world of arts and entertainment!”

A taste of vintage tequila! 150 150 mhamer

A taste of vintage tequila!

Jimmy performed with the Vintage Corporation Band

Jimmy performed with the Vintage Corporation Band

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with a Kent-based group on a night of great entertainment in Folkestone.

He appeared with the Vintage Corporation Band at the Hawkinge Community centre in a show which proved a big success in front of a large crowd.

The Band are a great 60s and 70s party and function band, and with nine members they certainly produce a great musical sound.

And they were up for doing a musical ensemble with Jimmy who performed a rendition on his saxophone of Tequila with them.

The Vintage Corporation Band have been putting music and comedy nights on around the Kent region.

In the run-up to working with Jimmy, the band had just appeared at a nearby theatre with Tom O’Connor. They are also working with Roy Walker in the lead-up to the Christmas season.

Jimmy hopes to work with the band in 2012 because the evening was such a great success.