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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

‘Nice to be friends on Facebook’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Nice to be friends on Facebook’

Jimmy and Gary Winstanley at Whelley Labour Club in Wigan

Jimmy and Gary Winstanley at Whelley Labour Club in Wigan

Jimmy Cricket has been emailed this picture by Gary Winstanley.

It was taken at Whelley Labour club in Wigan where the famous Irish entertainer performed a few years ago.

Gary says: “Not sure of the exact date now, but I think it was 2008. It was a great night and a pleasure to meet you.

“Nice to be friends on Facebook. Keep up the good work.”

Meet the Wooden Hut Club 150 150 mhamer

Meet the Wooden Hut Club

Members of the Wooden Hut Club

Members of the Wooden Hut Club

November saw the latest gathering of the informal showbiz fraternity group that Jimmy Cricket attends, which is lovingly called the “Wooden Hut Club”.

Conveniently for Jimmy, the location where this get-together takes place is in Rochdale. It was felt Rochdale was well placed on the M62 between Manchester/Cheshire and Yorkshire for his showbiz pals to get to. After the first ‘do’ was successfully held at the Royal Toby Hotel restaurant on Manchester Road in Castleton, the club have met there ever since.

This gathering has been meeting on and off for last four years and, as you can see from the photo, there was a large number who attended the last lunch showing it is well supported. This is probably because it is a rare chance for showbiz professionals to come together and catch up with the industry news – and of course reminisce about old times.

Some of the individuals in the photo with Jimmy are: Buzz Hawkins from ‘The Bradshaws’, ‘The Comedians’ producer Johnnie Hamp, impressionist Johnny More, BBC radio producer Steve Garner, comedy script writer Phil Collinge, the wife of former BBC radio comedy producer Mike Craig, Treflyn Jones from Target television and entertainer Eric Devereaux.

Jimmy goes into panto mode 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy goes into panto mode

Jimmy is appearing in Cinderella in Darlington

Jimmy Cricket has begun rehearsing for his latest pantomime appearance.

The legendary comic is starring as Baron Hardup in Cinderella at Darlington Civic Theatre which runs from Saturday 3 December until Sunday 15 January 2012.

Dancing on Ice and X Factor star Ray Quinn (Prince Charming), Emmerdale’s Deena Payne (Fairy Godmother) and Grease musical actress Emma Stephens (Cinderella) are also appearing in the festive spectacular.

Performances are as follows: Matinees 2pm, evenings 7pm except Sundays, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when evening performances will begin at 5.30pm. Prices are £13.50, £19 and £21, with discounts available at some performances.

Jimmy last appeared in the Darlingon theatre’s pantomime 21 years ago when it was also a version of Cinderella. Back in 1990 he played the role of Buttons.

The panto means it will be a very busy time of the year for Jimmy who said: “I am back home at the weekend and when we’re up and running with the actual show, I have every Sunday night and all day Monday off. Not to mention Crimble and New Year’s day!”

Find out more details here

Cricket and bowling on a special afternoon 150 150 mhamer

Cricket and bowling on a special afternoon

Jimmy Cricket awards the top junior prize to Kieran McGarry, alongside club president Pete Metcalf and club secretary Steve Morris

Jimmy Cricket awards the top junior prize to Kieran McGarry, with club president Pete Metcalf and secretary Steve Morris

Local comedian Jimmy Cricket was the special guest at Kirkholt Bowling Club in Rochdale when he attended the season’s finale, which the club marks with an event called President’s Sunday.

Jimmy was asked to take part in a presentation to award prizes to the club’s junior bowlers.

Naturally he could not curb his input to just giving out awards and so he also gave the club members a giggle or two. This was just the tonic as some members were preparing to re-enter the fray for the main bowling competition of the afternoon.

“It was great to pop into Kirkholt Bowling Club and support them in this way. They have a great junior set-up at the club and I was impressed at how many young people take part in the junior activities,” said Jimmy.

“I was hopeless at bowling as a youngster as I kept sticking my fingers in the wrong holes – one time I got mixed up with my Uncle Paddy because he happened to be bald!”

Club president Pete Metcalf said: “It was fantastic that Jimmy could grant us some of his time and help with this end-of-season presentation. The members present were really thrilled to see him and they all thought the experience was wonderful.

“The junior section of our club is really important to us and I am really pleased that some of our juniors have now gone on to represent Rochdale and the region.

“The Kirkholt Bowling Club continues to be a family club, so if there are any juniors in the area interested in joining us for the 2012 season, our door is always open.”

Jimmy and The Krankies to appear in Francis House fundraiser 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy and The Krankies to appear in Francis House fundraiser

Story from The Oldham Advertiser about the charity show

Story from The Oldham Advertiser about the charity show

Jimmy Cricket will be teaming up with other stars from the world of showbusiness in October to raise money for charity.

The legendary Irish comedian will be performing in the “Stars Come Out” show at the Oldham Coliseum as a fundraiser for the Francis House Hospice.

Also appearing will be The Krankies – very good friends of Jimmy’s – and 1960s Merseybeat band Swinging Blue Jeans.

The show will now be on October 10 and 11 after the originally-planned one-day performance was sold out.

Jimmy says: “It will be a very special show as it is not often that you find The Krankies, myself and the Swinging Blue Jeans in town and all on the same bill.

“The Francis House Children’s Hospice is a wonderful place where a lot of support and care is provided.”

Tickets are £15, with concessions £12, and are available from the box office on 0161 624 2829 or by going to the Coliseum’s website