Posts Tagged :

pantomime

Visit from Theo the Mouse & Wendy 150 150 mhamer

Visit from Theo the Mouse & Wendy
Jimmy Cricket with Theo The Mouse at St David's Hall in Cardiff

Jimmy and children’s character Theo the Mouse enjoy some comedy capers at St David’s Hall in Cardiff

Jimmy Cricket had some special visitors when he appeared at St David’s Hall in Cardiff, South Wales.

The famous funnyman was visited before the show by Theo the Mouse and Wendy.

Wendy features in CITV’s Sooty Show and Theo the Mouse is a children’s character created by Wink Taylor, who has written for both the Sooty Show and the Basil Brush show.

Jimmy said: “I enjoyed the visit and my capers with Theo, and wish both of them all the best with their forthcoming Pantomime – Cinderella at the Leatherhead Theatre in Surrey.”

Watch video of Jimmy being interviewed by Wendy and Theo the Mouse.

Hi ho hi ho, it’s off to work we go 150 150 mhamer

Hi ho hi ho, it’s off to work we go
Cast members of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 7 December to 5 January at the Forum Theatre in Billingham

Some cast members of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 7 December to 5 January at the Forum Theatre in Billingham. Photo credit: Northern Echo

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with some of his fellow cast members at a press launch for the forthcoming festive season pantomime he is headlining.

The Northern Irish entertainer will play the comedy role of Muddles in that old favourite, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, at the Forum Theatre in Billingham near Middlesbrough from 7 December to 5 January.

Alongside Jimmy in the picture above are a couple of the cast who will be playing two of the dwarves, plus Craig Ansell (who will be Sarah the Cook), local girl Victoria Holtom (Snow White), and Emmerdale‘s Kurtis Stacey (he plays Alex Moss in the soap) who will feature in the role of the Wicked Henchman.

On most days, there is planned a 2.30 afternoon matinee and an early evening show starting at around 6pm, but check with the theatre by phone or on its website (details below) as times vary on different days.

The panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum Theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

For more information or to book a ticket, visit the Forum Theatre website or ring the Box Office on 01642 552663.

Jimmy Cricket and Victoria Holtom (Snow White)

Jimmy Cricket and Victoria Holtom (who plays Snow White).  Photograph credit: Northern Echo

Emmerdale star also in panto cast 150 150 mhamer

Emmerdale star also in panto cast

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamAn actor from Emmerdale will also be in the pantomime which Jimmy Cricket is headlining at Christmas.

More details have been released of the panto which runs at the Forum Theatre in Billingham, near Middlesbrough, from the afternoon of Saturday 7 December (commencing at 1.30pm) to Sunday 5 January.

Irish entertainer Jimmy plays the comedy role of Muddles in that old favourite, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, with Kurtis Stacey – who is Alex Moss in ITV’s ever-popular soap opera Emmerdale – the Wicked Queen’s Henchman.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamThe panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum Theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

Jimmy said: “Tickets are reasonably priced between £13.50 and £16.00 – this does not include school rates or group booking rates.

“Couple this affordable ticket rate with the easy accessibility of the evening performance times – they are all scheduled for between 5.30pm and 6.30pm – and this show is definitely a family-friendly, Christmas treat for all the generations!”

For more information or to book a ticket, visit the Forum Theatre website or ring the Box Office on 01642 552663.

Where will Jimmy be at Christmas? 150 150 mhamer

Where will Jimmy be at Christmas?

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamJimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in Billingham, just outside the city of Middlesbrough.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in Billingham

The Irish entertainer will be playing the role of Muddles in a version of Snow White and the seven Dwarves.

The panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

Jimmy posed for the photos on this page last month at a mini press launch which attracted significant interest from the local media. The full launch of the theatre’s Christmas season is not scheduled until the autumn.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamHe said: “I’m excited about visiting the North East again at Christmas time. I have featured in pantos in the region before and each time I have received a very warm reception.

“I am also thrilled to be teaming up with Duggie Chapman again, as previously we worked together on Christmas shows at Southport and Ashton-under-Lyne.

“These pantos were hugely successful, both creatively and on the number of people who came along to see the shows.”

2012 – we look back at the highlights 150 150 mhamer

2012 – we look back at the highlights
Jimmy Cricket played Baron Hardup in panto with Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn as Prince Charming

Jimmy was Baron Hardup in panto with Dancing on Ice’s Ray Quinn Prince Charming

Jimmy has had another busy year and as usual he has travelled the length and breadth of the country to meet his touring commitments throughout 2012.

Some of the highlights of the past 12 months include:

– At the start of the year appearing as Baron Hardup in a pantomime version of Cinderella at the Civic Theatre in Darlington

– Headlining the summer show at the Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne, which ran for five months and was presented every Tuesday and Wednesday evening from the first week of May through to the end of September

– Featuring in a northern comedy tour alongside the inimitable Mick Miller

– Appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Sheffield Comedy festival and the new Belly Laughs Belfast comedy festival

– Travelling to venues in Guernsey, Cromer, Torquay, Bridlington, Carlisle, Towyn and Glasgow – to name just a few of the different places visited

– Appearing in BBC 3’s Comedy Marathon which was recorded at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival

– Participating in a recording of the new Sky TV comedy series called John Bishop’s Only Joking

Jimmy said: “I would like to thank all those who came to one of my shows this year or who have bought one of my merchandise items.

“Also thanks to anyone who has followed me on Twitter, decided to be a friend on Facebook or who has viewed one of my clips on YouTube.

“Thanks you all for your continuing support and I hope to see you in 2013!”

Motorbike made out of balloons 150 150 mhamer

Motorbike made out of balloons
Jimmy with Fred and Connie alongside an amazing motorbike made especially for this celebration out of modelling balloons!

Jimmy Cricket with Fred and Connie Van Buren – and that amazing motorbike made of modelling balloons

A motorbike made out of modelling balloons was one of the highlights when comedian Jimmy Cricket helped to celebrate the 80th birthday of one of his friends.

Jimmy Cricket with Connie, Fred's wife

Jimmy Cricket with Connie, Fred’s wife

Magician Fred Van Buren’s party was held in the village of Silverdale in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

Fred is now retired but his son, Andy, who has inherited the family penchant for magic, is following in his dad’s footsteps and is one of a few performers still skilled in the art of plate spinning.

Andy has been described as “one of the biggest names in British illusionists for many a decade”.

A multi-talented & skilled performer, he is one of the most experienced performers within the speciality act, shows & entertainment showbusiness today. He a gold star performing member of the Inner Magic Circle and a member of the prestigious showbusiness organisation, the Grand Order of Water Rats.

Fred and Connie get ready to cut the birthday cake

Fred cuts the cake

Jimmy has worked with Andy on many occasions – including in a pantomime at the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield – and the friendship has even involved Fred and Andy storing some of Jimmy’s props in their crammed warehouse which is full of tricks and props – including Jimmy’s gigantic Mexican hats!

This is because Jimmy tried to recreate for a stage show one of the sketches from his TV series called And There’s More on YouTube. This sketch involved large Mexican hats, but Jimmy did not have room for them, so  the Van Burens stepped in to help out and house them for him.

Jimmy says a big thank-you to magician Geoff Rushworth and Andrew Sherratt for supplying these superb photographs of a truly tremendous occasion!

Bike made out of balloons

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