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northern irish

You Must Be Joking 150 150 mhamer

You Must Be Joking

Jimmy Cricket with fellow Northern Ireland comedians (from left) Gene Fitzpatrick, John Linehan and William Caulfield A stellar cast of funnymen was assembled for the inaugural Cookstown Comedy Festival earlier this month.

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with fellow Northern Ireland comedians (all pictured above with him, from left) Gene Fitzpatrick, John Linehan and William Caulfield.

The four comics featured on the first night of the two-day event, which was named You Must Be Joking and took place at the Burnavon Theatre during the first weekend of August. Comedian Patrick Kielty performed the following night.

This particular line-up certainly created plenty of interest in Northern Ireland as it was the first time all four of these household names had been brought together to grace the same stage.

Jimmy, born in Cookstown and now based in Rochdale, said he was thrilled that the Burnavon Theatre and David Hull Promotions were able to make this special event happen.

He added: “From my perspective, it highlighted the great comedy talent the province has produced over the years.”

Appearing in Rochdale AFC’s fanzine 150 150 mhamer

Appearing in Rochdale AFC’s fanzine

Rochdale FC fanzine showing comedian Jimmy Cricket alongside the then manager Dave Sutton

Rochdale FC fanzine showing Jimmy Cricket alongside then manager Dave Sutton

Jimmy Cricket was reminded recently of the day he featured on the front page of the Rochdale Football Club fanzine.

It was in April 1997 when the famous Irish comedian appeared in a photograph alongside the then Rochdale FC manager Dave Sutton.

Jimmy has been a resident of the town of Rochdale for nearly 40 years and, like any other football fan, he has from time to time kept an eye on how his local team have been getting on.

This interest extended to him helping them out with a few initiatives back in the 1990s when the then commercial director – a charismatic man called Les Duckworth – was involved with the club  – and he and Jimmy got on really well.

Les’s dad had a music hall connection and Les was passionate about live theatre, which meant he and Jimmy has a lot in common.

As a result of this, Jimmy popped down to Rochdale to help Les out with the occasional fundraiser and presentation, and other initiatives at the club.

This even went as far Jimmy trying to record a comedy football song with the team though it did not go too well as the players’ collective singing ability was not as good as their performances on the pitch!

Jimmy also arranged a comedy five-a-side football match to take place during the half-time interval at one of the midweek matches.

When Les left the club, Jimmy’s association fell away, though he insists: “I was thrilled to see Rochdale at last get to Wembley a few ago when they reached the League Two play-off final.

“I hope that under Rochdale’s current manager, John Coleman, they have a successful season and bounce straight back into League One after last season’s relegation.”

Jimmy’s thanks go to Dale fan Chris Rodgers for sending in a copy of the front cover of the fanzine which is featured above

Headlining St Patrick’s Day show 150 150 mhamer

Headlining St Patrick’s Day show

Jimmy Cricket is featured in the Mill Rythe Holiday Village internal newspaper called The Guest

Jimmy Cricket is featured in the Mill Rythe Holiday Village internal newspaper called The Guest

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket already knows where he will be on St Patrick’s Day next year.

The famous funnyman appeared at the Mill Rythe Holiday Village on Hayling Island near Portsmouth in Hampshire recently – and was immediately invited back.

He will perform over the weekend marking the 2013 St Pat’s celebrations at the holiday village, having been asked to headline the main show on 17 March itself!

Jimmy had a great reception for his recent show and was full of praise for Jack – the centre’s entertainments manager who provided great assistance to the comedian during his visit.

Mill Rythe used to be part of the Warner classic holiday villages network, but is now owned by the Away Resorts Company. They also own two other holiday centres  – at Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight and Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire.

Still a Mammy’s boy 150 150 mhamer

Still a Mammy’s boy

The Sunday Life article about Jimmy Cricket returning to Belfast for the festival

The Sunday Life article about famous comedian Jimmy Cricket returning to Belfast for the festival

Jimmy Cricket launched an international comedy festival in his native city at the weekend.

Now living in Rochdale, the Northern Irish comedian returned to Belfast to officially open Belly Laughs.

The week-long inaugural Belfast International Comedy Festival began on Sunday with Jimmy’s show at the Black Box venue in the Cathedral Quarter of the city.

In total, the festival, which closes on Sunday (7 October) comprises of 30 performances at 15 venues across Belfast.

As well as stand-up comedy, the festival also features poetry, magic, cabaret, workshops, seminars, club nights, book readings and events for children.

The Belfast-based Sunday Life newspaper previewed the festival and Jimmy’s return to his home city.

Jimmy said: “The show went very well and was a great start to this festival which is in its inaugural year and which it is hoped will become an annual future in Belfast’s cultural calendar.”

Can’t find October dates? Come closer! 150 150 mhamer

Can’t find October dates? Come closer!

Jimmy Cricket and Brotherhood of Man

Struggling to find out what your favourite comedian Jimmy Cricket is up to during October?

Well, come closer!

Technical problems mean that the popular events calendar feature on this website has unexpectedly stopped working – unlike Jimmy who has another busy month ahead.

So please accept our apologies and while we try to rectify the problem, here is Jimmy’s schedule in October – events subject to change, of course.

 

Mon 1st

Solihull Arts Centre at 1.30pm

 

Tue 2nd

Sheffield City Hall (Jimmy and Mick)

 

Wed 3rd

Thameside Theatre, Essex (tenner show)

 

Thu 4th

Laugh Inn, Chester (Jimmy & Mick)

 

Fri 5th

Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton

 

Sat 6th

Blackfriars Arts Centre, Boston (music and Mayhem)

 

Thu 11th

St Peter’s, Hazel Grove

 

Fri 12th

St Catherine’s, Didsbury

Sat 13th

Walmer Bridge Village Hall

 

Sun 14th

Bucknall Pentecostal Church, Stoke-on-Trent

 

Thu 25th

Laughing Crow Comedy Club, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow

 

Fri 26th

Sherburn WMC, Durham

 

Sat 27th

Acorn Theatre, Worksop

 

Sun 28th

Thwaites Empire Anniversary Show, Blackburn

 

Tue 30th

Victoria Hall, Southborough, Surrey

 

Wed 31st

Victoria Hall, Southborough
‘Prodigal son’ going back home… 150 150 mhamer

‘Prodigal son’ going back home…

Belly Laughs poster

Belfast-born Jimmy Cricket is returning to his home city – but not for good.

The comedian, who has lived in Rochdale for many years, is appearing at the inaugural Belfast International Comedy Festival, Belly Laughs, which takes place between Sundays 30 September and 7 October.

Jimmy is opening the festival, which will comprise of 30 performances at 15 venues across the citywith a long-awaited performance at The Black Box.  

In addition to the stand-up comedy, the festival strives to challenge, inspire and inform through poetry, magic, cabaret, workshops, seminars, club nights, book readings and events for children.

“It is obviously a tremendous honour for me to be returning home to Belfast to appear in this new comedy festival,” says Jimmy.

“I am really thrilled to be asked. I hope it will be a fantastic success and an annual fixture for a city which is growing in confidence and artistic prosperity.”

More details about Jimmy’s show – and some lavish praise for the “prodigal son” – can be found below.

Jimmy Cricket returning to Belfast to start the comedy festival, Belly Laughs

Belfast celebs meet at Olympic event 150 150 mhamer

Belfast celebs meet at Olympic event

Jimmy Cricket and Dame Mary Peters in Southport

Jimmy Cricket and Dame Mary Peters in Southport. Photos for this story were taken by Alan at Photos2U

Two Belfast celebrities met up in June at an event to mark the year the Olympic Games returned to London.

Olympic gold medallist Dame Mary Elizabeth Peters and top comedian Jimmy Cricket were at the Southport Theatre for a special dance show to celebrate the Olympic Torch coming to the Merseyside seaside resort ahead of London 2012.

Jimmy was asked to compere the show which was organised by the Liverpool-based Allied Dancing Association.

The event’s other special guest was Dame Mary Peters who won gold medal in the pentathlon in the 1972 Munich Games. She represented Northern Ireland at every Commonwealth Games between 1958 and 1974, winning two pentathlon gold medals, plus a gold and a silver for the shot put.

She was born in Lancashire but lived in Belfast from the age of 11.

Jimmy, who was born in Belfast and has lived in Rochdale for many years, said: “It was a real thrill to meet Mary in Southport as she has been one of the great ambassadors of Northern Ireland over the years.

“Her Olympic triumph in Munich was a tremendous achievement, one which should inspire all our home athletes who are currently getting ready for London 2012.”

London also hosted the Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948. The 2012 Games means it will become the first city to have hosted three modern-day Olympics.

Jimmy Cricket and Dame Mary Peters in Southport