Posts Tagged :

norman collier

Jimmy’s plea to fellow funnymen to help save live comedy 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy’s plea to fellow funnymen to help save live comedy

To all professional comedians, join the challenge to post a photo of you in your job. Just a picture, no description. The goal is to flood social media with our profession. Copy the text and post Performing arts #savelivecomedy

Save Live Comedy
Jimmy Cricket has been encouraging his fellow comedians to help save live comedy.
A survey conducted in June 2020 suggested the comedy industry was on the brink of collapse.
It revealed a third of comedy venues believe they will be forced to close within the next six months.
And over 45% of the industry have seriously thought about leaving comedy because of the coronavirus pandemic.
There are claims it runs the risk of being forgotten by emergency government arts funding.
People are being urged to sign an open letter to the UK government.

The Save Comedy Live website says it believes that comedy is art and should be treated as such.

It asks for several things, including that comedy is treated on a par with the rest of the performing arts sector by government and funding bodies.

This includes having the same access to the Cultural Rescue Package.

It also requests a clear timeline for reopening venues without social distancing, taking into account official guidance.

‘Flood social media’

The fear is that if live comedy industry is not supported immediately, the sector will risk disappearing as an art form.

Sign the Open Letter here

Famous Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy tweeted: “To all professional comedians, join the challenge to post a photo of you in your job.

“Just a picture, no description. The goal is to flood social media with our profession. Copy the text and post Performing arts#savelivecomedy.”

Jimmy accompanied the words with the post above right featuring himself, Frank Carson, Duncan Norvelle, Norman Collier and Paul Adams.

The Live Comedy Association said: “British live comedy is in crisis – let’s #SaveLiveComedy!
“1) Sign the open letter to the UK government & arts funders at savelivecomedy.co.uk
“2) Tweet a memorable live comedy experience with the hashtag #SaveLiveComedy.”
British live comedy is in crisis - let’s #SaveLiveComedy!
Slideshow tribute to ‘comedian’s comedian’ 150 150 mhamer

Slideshow tribute to ‘comedian’s comedian’
Johnny Casson enjoys his own memories of Norman Collier

Johnnie Casson enjoys his own memories of Norman Collier. Pictures courtesy of OlsenParker photography

Jimmy Cricket was among several top entertainers who paid their last respects to legendary comedian Norman Collier in a special tribute show.

The event, called An evening of Comedy and Laughter, took place at the New Theatre in Hull in September.

It included Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy plus fellow stars Tom O’ Connor, Syd Little (of Little and Large), ventriloquist Roger De Courcey (plus Nookie Bear), Johnnie Casson and Robin Grumbleweed.

Norman, who died in March this year aged 87, was born and bred in Hull and for most of his life lived in the nearby town of Brough.

He achieved popularity following television appearances in the 1970s and was best known for his ‘faulty microphone’ routine and his chicken impressions.

Norman was highly regarded by many fellow comics, including Frank Carson and Les Dawson, and was described by Jimmy Tarbuck as ‘the comedian’s comedian’.

Read more about Norman here.

The show was hosted by Norman’s son-in-law, John Ainsley, who was also the main organiser of the event.

Jimmy Cricket pays tribute to Norman Collier

Jimmy pays tribute

Jimmy Cricket said: “Suffice to say the theatre was packed to the rafters and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

“A sizeable amount of money was raised which will be given to Norman’s widow, Lucy.”

Enjoy some nostalgia and watch Jimmy and Norman performing a chicken sketch together.

All pictures in the slideshow below are courtesy of OlsenParker photography which is based in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Tribute to the late, great Norman Collier 150 150 mhamer

Tribute to the late, great Norman Collier

Poster advertising the tribute show to the late comedian Norman CollierJimmy Cricket is among a host of comedy greats paying tribute to the legendary Norman Collier on Monday night (16 September).

The show, An Evening of Comedy & Laughter to celebrate the life of Norman Collier, takes place at the New Theatre, Kingston Square, in Hull.

The comedian, who died in March this year aged 87, was born and bred in Hull and for most of his life lived in the nearby town of Brough.

He achieved popularity following television appearances in the 1970s. He was best known for his ‘faulty microphone’ routine and for his chicken impressions. Read more about him here.

This memorial event has been put together by John Ainslie, Norman’s son-in-law, and the line-up of entertainers taking part in the show includes comedians Tom O’Connor and Johnnie Casson, comic duo Little and Large, and ventriloquist Roger De Courcey with Nookie Bear.

Jimmy said: “Such a line-up is a really fitting tribute to Norman Collier, who was one of the nation’s finest comedians and who especially had a great talent for visual comedy.”

Enjoy some nostalgia and watch Jimmy and Norman performing a chicken sketch together.