Posts Tagged :

nostalgia

Lyndene Legends Week: ‘That unmistakable Irish charm!’ 150 150 mhamer

Lyndene Legends Week: ‘That unmistakable Irish charm!’

Jimmy Cricket completes his ninth season at his favourite Blackpool hotel next week.

It’s season number 11 at the Lyndene Hotel for Jimmy Cricket as he returns to the popular Blackpool hotel in time for Legends Week. 

Northern Ireland’s famous funnyman has been gracing the seafront venue for more than a decade and he’s back there again on Wednesday (4 March).

The Lyndene sits proudly at the heart of the famous Lancashire seaside resort.
Its nightly entertainment every day of the year is a major part of its ongoing success.

The hotel starred as the Le Ponderosa in the second series of Peter Kay’s TV hit comedy Phoenix Nights.

A true favourite!

A social media post by the Lyndene said:

🎭✨ LYNDENE LEGENDS WEEK ✨🎭
📍 At the fabulous Lyndene Hotel
📅 Monday 2nd – Friday 6th March
Get ready for a full week of fantastic live entertainment at the Lyndene Hotel!
With 3–4 different cabaret acts every night, plus your favourite resident performers, it’s set to be a week to remember! 🌟
🎹 Every night from 7pm – Enjoy our resident keyboard player to start your evening in style, followed by TWO games of CASH prize bingo with your brilliant Host & Compere! 💷💷
Here’s what’s in store…
🔥 Monday 2nd March
The sensational Diane Lee Carol brings her breathtaking Tina Turner Tribute to the Lyndene stage! Get ready for classics like “Proud Mary”, “Simply The Best”, “River Deep – Mountain High” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It” 🎤✨
🎉 Tuesday 3rd March
The brilliant UpHighs Personality Duo take over with all your favourite party pleasers and singalong hits! Expect floor-fillers, feel-good vibes and a fantastic atmosphere all night long! 🕺🎶
🍀 Wednesday 4th March
Back for his 11th season at the Lyndene – a true favourite!
TV’s Irish Comedy Legend Jimmy Cricket 🍀😂🍀
Get ready for a night of laughter, classic comedy and that unmistakable Irish charm! 🍀🍀
🎸 Thursday 5th March
Rock ‘n’ Roll sensation Ricky Aron brings you the electrifying Ricky Aron Show!
Dance along to hits like “Johnny B. Goode”, “Great Balls of Fire”, “Rock Around the Clock” and “Blue Suede Shoes” 🎸🕺💃🎶
Non-residents welcome
PLUS throughout the week enjoy amazing performances from:
🌟 The fantastic Kearra Bethany
🎷 Multi-talented Andy Eastwood
…and many more incredible cabaret stars!
🍽️ NON-RESIDENTS WELCOME! 🍽️
Why not book a Meal & Show and enjoy a delicious 5-course dinner followed by a full evening of outstanding live entertainment!
📞 To book call our Reservations Team on 01253 346779
🎟️ Limited places available – early booking recommended!
There’s nowhere better to be this March than the Lyndene Hotel for a week packed with music, laughter, dancing and non-stop entertainment! 🌟
📞 01253 346779
📧 reservations@lyndenehotel.co.uk
Various packages available including Half Board, Hotel Credit & All Inclusive. lyndenehotel.co.uk/packages
Banjo duo, dancers and the three-tenner sketch at Stockport’s The Plaza 150 150 mhamer

Banjo duo, dancers and the three-tenner sketch at Stockport’s The Plaza

Stockport's Plaza Theatre

Jimmy Cricket returned to The Plaza variety theatre in Stockport at the weekend to do his fourth show there.

Other acts included Shep’s Banjo Duo and dancers from the Stockport-based Debut Arts academy.

The famous comedian, 72, had last performed there in January 2016 and was clearly delighted to be back.

Afterwards he tweeted: “Wonderful Sunday afternoon performing alongside Howard and Steve, Shep’s Banjo Duo, Debut Arts Academy, with Ted Doan Manager and actor who took the lead in the, “The 3 Tenner Sketch”, my thanks goes to Stage, Sound and Lighting, Lawerence, Ben and Pam.”

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

Catch up with Concordia show in photos 150 150 mhamer

Catch up with Concordia show in photos

Jimmy Cricket and fellow performers at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Jimmy Cricket’s recent performance at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire, was captured on film.

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Matt Holt took these photographs, which are courtesy of MGL Media.

It was the second of two variety shows, which well-known entertainer Jimmy did with Midlands crooner Michael George.

The other one took place at the Trinity Arts Centre in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, seven days earlier.

They each featured Michael, his wonderful eight-piece band, his troupe of dancers, a supporting female vocalist, and comedian Jimmy as the special guest star.

The Concordia Theatre show is an annual event, which Michael holds each year to raise money for charity, with all proceeds going to Leicestershire-based  Hope Against Cancer.

Jimmy said: “I enjoyed working with Michael at both the Gainsborough and Hinckley shows and found his enthusiasm for performing just wonderful to see.”

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire

Jimmy Cricket to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Live 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Live

Stephen Nolan - Jimmy Cricket is appearing on his BBC radio show

Jimmy Cricket is going to appear on BBC Northern Ireland’s popular current affairs television show Nolan Live on Wednesday, June 3.

It is presented by Stephen Nolan (above) – a name that might be familiar to readers as he is often heard on BBC Radio 5 live presenting the station’s evening programme at the weekend.

Stephen Nolan's programme is called Nolan Live

Stephen’s TV show in Northern Ireland is a mix between topical debate and chat – he holds a panel discussion during one part of the programme, with the other section devoted to talking to a special guest. The first programme in this current series featured Peter Stringfellow,  the British businessman and nightclub owner.

Nolan Live has built a significant share of the viewing audience over several series and is now one of the most popular shows that BBC Northern Ireland produces for its home audience.

Famous entertainer Jimmy said: “Not only will I be having a chat with Stephen about what I am up to currently, but I have also been asked to perform some comedy stand-up and this is an opportunity I’m relishing.”

Variety show raises money for cancer charity 150 150 mhamer

Variety show raises money for cancer charity

Jimmy Cricket with Michael George

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with the Midlands crooner Michael George to do two variety shows across two counties.

The performances, both organised and funded by Michael himself, took place at the Trinity Arts Centre in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, and the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

They each featured Michael, his wonderful eight-piece band, his troupe of dancers, a supporting female vocalist, and comedian Jimmy as the special guest star.

The Concordia Theatre show is an annual charity event, which Michael holds each year to raise money for charity, with all proceeds going to Leicestershire-based  Hope Against Cancer (as reported in the Hinckley Times newspaper, below).

Well-known Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy said: “I really enjoyed appearing alongside Michael, who I think has an infectious desire for performing and singing.

“Both shows went down very well with those who were in attendance and I enjoyed immensely my time on stage in both Gainsborough and Hinckley.”

Hinckley Times article about Jimmy Cricket's show with Michael George at the Concordia Theatre

Burnley FC event raises £10,000 for good causes 150 150 mhamer

Burnley FC event raises £10,000 for good causes

Burnley Football Club

Almost 450 people attended the Pauline Helm Memorial Event at Burnley Football Club, where Jimmy Cricket was one of the entertainers.

The Pauline Helm Memorial Event took place at Burnley Football ClubThe fund-raising gala dinner evening was organised by Pauline’s widower, Graham Helm (pictured below with Jimmy), and was held in one of the club’s main function suites, which was packed to the rafters with almost 450 people there.

It was hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire presenter Sally Naden and, apart from Jimmy’s contribution, the entertainment programme also featured Bacup-born international opera singer Sean Ruane (pictured below right with his wife) and music from the excellent band, A few good men.

International opera singer Sean Ruane with his wifeFamous Northern Irish comedian Jimmy said: “The evening raised a magnificent £10,000 in total and this achieved figure was a richly deserved outcome for Graham after all of his efforts over a number of months in the lead-up to the event.”

The money raised will now be split between two great causes, with £7,000 being awarded to the local East Lancashire Hospice and £3,000 going to construct an outdoor performance space for young people in Burnley.

Jimmy Cricket and Graham Helm at the memorial event at Burnley Football Club