Posts Tagged :

queen

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!”

Journey into the archives 150 150 mhamer

Journey into the archives

Jimmy Cricket performs in the 1985 Royal Variety Performance show

Jimmy Cricket in 1985

Got any old videos or photos of your favourite entertainer?

If you have still pictures or moving footage from down the years of famous Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket – like the Royal Variety Performance clip on the homepage of this website – then we would love to hear from you.

This video from 1985 was sent in by one of Jimmy’s fans and if anybody out there wants to send anything from the archives, then it will also be put online.

The Royal Variety Performance – also known as the Royal Command Performance – is a gala evening held annually in the UK and attended by senior members of the Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch.

Performances showcase a variety of family entertainment, including comedy, dance, singing, magic and other acts, with many of the performers and hosts being popular celebrities.

It is organised on behalf of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund, of which Elizabeth II is patron, with all proceeds donated to the fund.

  • Please email any archive material to jimmy@jimmycricket.co.uk
Thanks – and have a meal on me! 150 150 mhamer

Thanks – and have a meal on me!

 

The technical crew used Jimmy's money to go to an Italian restaurant

The technical crew used Jimmy’s money to go to an Italian restaurant

Jimmy Cricket recently completed a five-month summer season in Eastbourne – and thanked the technical crew by treating them to an Italian meal.

On the last night of the show, Sentimental Journey, at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre, the famous Irish comedian gave each of the technical staff a tenner as a small token of his appreciation for all their help.

The four, Megan, James, Tim and Jo, went out and spent Jimmy’s financial contribution at an Italian restaurant.

And they sent Jimmy a message of appreciation and said they had all enjoyed working with Jimmy over the summer season.

It read:

Jimmy,

With a hearty thanks from the Royal Hippodrome Crew who enjoyed a splendid post season three-course meal thanks to your generosity.

It’s been a pleasure working with you.

Best regards,

Megan, James, Tim & Jo xx

The crew sent Jimmy photos of them having the meal and he immediately recognised the Italian restaurant as he used to frequent it often over the summer when he was in the resort.

Reward for outstanding courtesy 150 150 mhamer

Reward for outstanding courtesy

The article appeared in the 11 September edition of the Eastbourne Gazette

Comedian Jimmy Cricket, who prides himself on his clean humour, has helped to honour a man for outstanding courtesy and good customer service.

The Belfast-born, Rochdale-based funnyman was on hand to present Jack Pout from Eastbourne his award on behalf of the National Campaign for Courtesy.

Jack, aged 18, works at his parents’ business Seaside Furniture and was nominated by shopper Edward Thomas, who lives in Eastbourne and is a member of the campaign.

The presentation featuring Jimmy, who is a patron of the campaign, and Jack was reported by the Eastbourne Gazette and on the Eastbourne Herald online.

Also at the presentation were campaign chairman Peter Foot and Mr Thomas.

Other campaign patrons include:

DAVID HAMILTON
ROY HUDD OBE
DOUG McKENZIE
DIANA MORAN
PENNY PALMANO
ESTHER RANTZEN CBE
JOAN REGAN
THE CHIEF RABBI LORD SACKS OF ALDGATE
MARY ANN SIEGHART
JUNE WHITFIELD CBE

Jimmy has been performing in Eastbourne twice a week since 1 May in the family show Sentimental Journey at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre. It finishes next Wednesday (26 September).

Crowning the Carnival Queen 150 150 mhamer

Crowning the Carnival Queen

Jimmy performed at the pier theatre in Cromer

Jimmy Cricket had a dual role when he visited Cromer, a coastal resort in north Norfolk.

In addition to appearing in the theatre on the seaside town’s pier, the Irish comedian was also asked to crown the Carnival Queen!

Jimmy said: “I have always enjoyed visiting Cromer. I really love the theatre which has become a bit of a bastion of the ‘end-of-pier summer season revue’.

“This type of variety format has been maintained in the resort for years. Cromer’s shows have a fine reputation and are not only supported by day trippers, but also by locals from the north Norfolk region.

“With so many resorts not opting to present a summer season family production any more, Cromer continues to buck the national trend.

“This really proves that an audience can be developed for such a show and that people will come back every year to support the theatre.”

Watch a video slideshow on the homepage of this website or at Jimmy’s YouTube channel

Photos here provided by Steve Medler and the remainder on the video slideshow courtesy of Dave Roberts

Jimmy Cricket has a ride in a blue cadillac in Cromer

Jimmy talks to seaside visitors while taking a ride in a blue cadillac in Cromer

It’s Showtime! 150 150 mhamer

It’s Showtime!

A train forms the backdrop for all the performers in Sentimental Journey

A train forms the backdrop for all the performers in Sentimental Journey at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre

A railway station is the nostalgic setting for a variety summer show starring comedian Jimmy Cricket.

The Belfast-born funnyman has since May been appearing in Sentimental Journey to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Entertainers Mike Lee and Barry Moon

Entertainers Mike Lee and Barry Moon

The story goes that a train has broken down at the Royal Hippodrome station  so, while everyone waits for it to be repaired, the station master and “the man from head office” arrange some entertainment to keep people amused.

It transports the audience back to an era when a small company of talented individuals would sing, dance and tell jokes.

For a video slideshow of the performers from the show, visit Jimmy’s homepage here or go to the Wellie Boot channel on YouTube.

The host for the evening is the singer Mike Lee, who plays the train’s inspector, and at the start of the show he bumps into the train’s conductor – none other than the talented impressionist Barry Moon.

Barry Moon sings at the Hippodrome

Barry Moon sings at the Royal Hippodrome

Jimmy Cricket said: “Both Barry and Mike are also the show’s producers and they have done a great job at putting this show together.”

The Showtime Dancers in Sentimental Journey are Nick, Jo, Lauren and Janine.

Also appearing are world-renowned tribute acts Colin Gold and Tracy Lea.

Colin, who starred on ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes, has gone on to become one of the most experienced and acclaimed Billy Fury acts in the world. Halfway to Paradise was one of Fury’s best-known songs.

Tracy Lee and dancers Nick, Jo, Lauren and Janine

Tracy Lee & dancers Nick, Jo, Lauren & Janine

Connie Francis’ greatest hits included Who’s Sorry Now, Lipstick on Your Collar and Stupid Cupid. Tracy also appeared on Stars in Their Eyes, a British television talent show screened on Saturday nights from 21 July 1990 to 23 December 2006 in which contestants impersonated showbiz stars.

Jimmy, Colin and Tracy recently appeared live in Eastbourne on ITV’s breakfast show, Daybreak.

* Performances for Sentimental Journey are at 8.15 each Tuesday and Wednesday night throughout the summer. Tickets cost £12 and £17 – go here for more information.

Enjoying the vintage times 150 150 mhamer

Enjoying the vintage times

Jimmy Cricket and Karl of the Vintage Corporation BandIt was vintage stuff in more ways than one when veteran comedian Jimmy Cricket performed in Maidstone last Saturday.

The famous Irish comedian appeared on stage with the magnificent and very accomplished Vintage Corporation band whose members all come from the Kent region.

Jimmy was also on stage with the band last autumn at the Hawkinge Community Centre in Folkestone. This time it was the Hazlitt Arts Centre in Maidstone.Poster for the show involving Jimmy Cricket and the Vintage Corporation Band

The band, who recreate the sounds of the 60s and 70s, have worked with many comedians, including  Tom O’Connor, Mick Miller, Roy Walker and the Grumbleweeds.

The photo at the top of this page is of Jimmy with Karl, the lead singer of the Vintage Corporation Band.

Jimmy had just returned backstage from his usual mad dash to the theatre’s foyer to sell copies of his DVD when Karl bumped into him – which is why he is carrying a box in the photo!