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princess theatre

I wish the new Prime Minister well, but… 150 150 mhamer

I wish the new Prime Minister well, but…

New UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has received some advice from newspaper columnist and famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket.

New UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has received some advice from newspaper columnist and famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket.

Now writing monthly for the Lancashire Evening Post on a Saturday, Jimmy warns the PM in his August column: “All your flowery pre-election promises can turn to dust.”

He adds: “It’s not like pantomime where the fairy godmother can change everything with a wave of her wand.”

Here’s is the column in full:

Well, the general election has come and gone readers and, depending on whom you voted for, you’ll either be toasting with a glass of beer or crying into it.

I did hear that a few days before the election that Keir Starmer was seen in our local swimming baths in Rochdale… he was looking for a floating voter!

You see, I never let you down!

I wish the new Prime Minister well, but it’s not like pantomime where the fairy godmother can change everything with a wave of her wand.

A New York mayor once said: “You canvass in poetry and govern in prose.”

In other words, all your flowery pre-election promises can turn to dust in daily grind of day-to-day politics.

Gem of a place

A week before the election, Equity sent out a message to all its members telling us to vote for the candidates who won’t cut funding for the arts.

It’s a difficult one because people have bigger worries.

Like keeping hospitals open and making sure there’s enough police on the streets.

The local theatre isn’t exactly their first priority.

Having said all that, I once got involved in trying to save a theatre.

The Princess Theatre (pictured) above) in Hunstanton is a gem of a place.

It stands proudly, and majestically, in the centre of the town on a slight hill overlooking the sea.

I got wind that the local council wanted to close it.

When I say local council, it was actually under the jurisdiction of King’s Lynn Council, which is about 25 mile down the road.

I politely asked them to think twice about pulling down a beautiful theatre that families could come out and enjoy a live show.

We owed it to future generations to keep its doors open.

After all, I continued, hadn’t the late Princess Diana herself taken William and Harry when they were small to a pantomime theate when they were staying at Sandringham on their Christmas break (I’d known the producer of that panto – Mark Andrews)?

Strong and flourishing

A few weeks later, I received a nasty letter from the leader of King’s Lynn Council, asking me who did I think I was meddling in their affairs before adding caustically: “And who are you anyway? I’ve never heard of you.”

To be honest folks, I was quite taken aback by his bluntness, as I’d always been brought up to think councillors were the pillars of the community.

But you have to take it on the chin. It’s so much easier to do nothing, but if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

I’m happy to say that due to public pressure King’s Lynn Council reconsidered their decision and the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton is still going strong and flourishing.

And there’s more… I’d like to finish on a story I heard recently about a barber who cuts the hair of a florist.

When the florist offers to pay, the barber says: “I’m sorry, I’m on community service and I’m not allowed to accept any money.”

New UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has received some advice from newspaper columnist and famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket.

The next morning, when the barber turns up for work,there’s a dozen red roses outside his shop.

When he gives a policeman a short back and sides and tells him his story, the next morning when he turns up for work, there’s a dozen donuts outside his shop.

Then a politician turns up. When he cuts his hair and explains the situation to him, the next morning when he turns up for work there’s a dozen politicians waiting for a free haircut!

Buy Jimmy’s autobiography!

Don’t forget that Jimmy’s official autobiography is on sale.

Jimmy Cricket with his autobiography

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of Jimmy’s illustrious life and 50-year career.

The paperback version costs £11.99 at online retailer Amazon. It is also available via eBook and audio.

Signed copies (£15.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

It is also available at Jimmy’s live gigs for £10, where Jimmy will also sign it.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Also read: Jimmy Cricket’s signed autobiographies now available by post!

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Join us for A Right Royal Knees Up! 150 150 mhamer

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Join us for A Right Royal Knees Up!

Jimmy Cricket is helping to kick off the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations

Jimmy Cricket is starring in three shows at three different venues this week to help get the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations off to a regal start.

The first A Right Royal Knees Up takes begin this afternoon with Leah Bell and full supporting company  at the Forum Theatre in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees (2pm).

A repeat performance follows at the Playhouse, Whitley Bay on the East Yorkshire coast tomorrow (Tuesday 17 May, 2pm).

And the triple royal spectacular finishes on Wednesday at the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton, a seaside town in Norfolk (2.30pm).

The shows resume on Saturday and go through on selected dates until the jubilee weekend in early June.

Visit Jimmy’s Tour Dates section here to find out the full dates and details.

Evergreen all-round entertainer Jimmy said on social media: “Hi folks, starting our afternoon shows with rolling images on an LED video wall.

“For a 2pm start on Mon 16th May at the Billingham Forum, Tues 17th at the Whitley Bay Playhouse, Wed 18th @ThePrincessThea Hunstanton for a 2.30pm show.

“Why not come and join in on the fun! #keepvarietyalive”

The Queen, 96, marked 70 years on the throne on 6 February 2022.

Nostalgic journey

However, as with her Golden and Diamond Jubilees, the first week in June was chosen for a series of high-profile celebratory events.

The Billingham website says: “This feel-good performance is packed with show-stopping scenes, sing-a-long memories and spectacular footage as we take a nostalgic journey through the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth the Second.

“Guaranteed to put you in the party mood, this once-in-a-lifetime performance will get your spirits soaring, your hands clapping and your voices bellowing out as we bring you to our rousing flag waving finale.

“There is no better way of celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee than by joining us for A RIGHT ROYAL KNEES UP.

Book your Billingham Forum Theatre tickets here (but you’ll have to be quick as it’s this afternoon!)

Visit here to book your Playhouse Whitley Bay tickets

Tickets for the Princess Theatre show can be booked here

Also read on this website: Jimmy pays tribute to panto team

Hunstanton’s Princess Theatre: ‘Wonderful to be back’ 150 150 mhamer

Hunstanton’s Princess Theatre: ‘Wonderful to be back’

It was wonderful to be back @ThePrincessThea for my great friend, Director Brian Hallard, performing in front of a Hunstanton audience, my thanks to my fellow artistes multi instrumentalist Ian Larkin and Mrs C. with Jess on sound and lighting and Max our stage manager.

Jimmy Cricket clearly enjoyed his return to a Norfolk theatre where he performed his famous comedy show.

The Northern Irish funnyman, 73, was at the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton on Sunday (7 July).

He posted on social media: “It was wonderful to be back @ThePrincessThea for my great friend, Director Brian Hallard, performing in front of a Hunstanton audience, my thanks to my fellow artistes multi instrumentalist Ian Larkin and Mrs C. with Jess on sound and lighting and Max our stage manager.????

Hunstanton – or Sunny Hunny as it is often known – has the unusual distinction of being an east coast seaside resort that faces west and as a result enjoys some lovely sunsets.

 

Hello again to Hunstanton! 150 150 mhamer

Hello again to Hunstanton!

Jimmy Cricket is back next month at the venue where he spent the majority of the 2013 summer season.

The famous comedian returns to the Princess Theatre in the seaside resort of Hunstanton in Norfolk on Sunday 3 August.

A photo (below right) was posted on Twitter by the owners of Café Blah Blahh in Hunstanton to coincide with a  promotional push to publicise the show.

Owners of Café Blah Blahh posted a photo publicising Jimmy Cricket's return to Hunstanton

Jimmy was in the West Norfolk resort for most of last summer, as he starred in the Great British Seaside Summer show.

During his time in Hunstanton, Jimmy had a fantastic stay and earned the affection of the local community.

This included him touching base with a number of local businesses, including the Wash Monster boat ride operator; Hunstanton’s sealife centre; the Marine Hotel (where he stayed for the duration of the season) and Café Blah Blahh to name only a few.

Jimmy said: “I can’t wait to return to the Princess Theatre in this idyllic resort and hope to bump into a few familiar faces when I land there again in August.”

Reunion with fan after nearly 30 years 150 150 mhamer

Reunion with fan after nearly 30 years

Jimmy Cricket recently caught up with a fan almost three decades after they first met.

Jimmy Cricket with Lisa Roberts in Corby

When the famous entertainer was performing at the Viking Club in Corby, Northamptonshire, in the audience was Lisa Roberts and her husband Elio.

Lisa has a tale to tell that dates back a long time…

When she was six years old, her family had a holiday in the Devon resort of Torquay, during which her parents bought tickets to see Jimmy in his summer show at the Princess Theatre.

Unfortunately Lisa was ill at the time and so the family could not go and see Jimmy in action.Jimmy Cricket with Lisa in Torquay But as Lisa was a big fan, a couple of days later the family ventured down to the theatre’s stage door to see if they could catch a glimpse of Jimmy after the show. As Jimmy was leaving the theatre, he spotted them and went over to say hello.

Jimmy gave Lisa an autograph and they had their picture taken together (left).

And, nearly 30 years later, they had their reunion in Corby – and, of course, another photograph (above right)!

Lisa has been a nanny for 18 years and a maternity nurse for 10. Six years ago, when she was based in Tenerife, she set up her own business called Tenerife Childcare.

She moved back to the UK seven months ago and now runs the business from her home in Northamptonshire. She has 10 qualified nannies from Britain working in Tenerife for her.

Centre of attention in Birmingham 150 150 mhamer

Centre of attention in Birmingham

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Birmingham Irish CentreThis great photo of famous entertainer Jimmy Cricket was taken when he appeared at the Birmingham Irish Centre.

Photographer Chris Egan posted the picture – which was also published in a publication for the Irish community living in the UK called the Irish Post – on his Twitter feed.

Jimmy said: “Thanks To Chris for posting this photo online and for more information on his photography services check out his website [http://www.chriseganphotography.com].

At the show last autumn, Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy appeared with the traditional Irish musical outfit Irish Mist, a four-piece traditional/folk band.

‘Small world, isn’t it!?’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Small world, isn’t it!?’

Jimmy Cricket with Paul Crowley and Mary Hussey at the Birmingham Irish CentreJimmy Cricket had a chance meeting with a friend of one of his Northern Irish relatives when he performed at the Birmingham Irish Centre.

The famous entertainer, who was in a show with the traditional Irish musical outfit Irish Mist, bumped into Shaun Preece, the general manager of the centre.

Jimmy said: “Shaun is a good friend of my second cousin who hails from Strabane – small world, isn’t it!?

“The concert was a superb blend of music and comedy, and I was really impressed with the musical prowess of Irish Mist, as they had a great accordion player, a superb penny whistle player and very competent fiddle and drummer.”

Irish Mist are a four-piece traditional/folk band featuring Mal Rogers on fiddle and Joe Giltrap on guitar, plus All-Ireland accordion and flute champion Eugene Teevan and long-time associate, Belfast-born bass/whistle/flute player Brian Aldwinckle.

Over the years they have appeared with all the top names from the Irish folk world, including The Dubliners, Christy Moore and De Dannan, with shows at the Royal Albert Hall, the Dominion and the Gaiety in Dublin.

* Jimmy is pictured with Paul Crowley and Mary Hussey who were members of the audience.