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rochdale

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.”

‘I was thrilled to perform in panto in Rochdale’ 150 150 mhamer

‘I was thrilled to perform in panto in Rochdale’

Jimmy Cricket tweeted he was thrilled in appear in a pantomime in his adopted hometown of Rochdale

Jimmy Cricket said he was thrilled in appear in a pantomime in his adopted home town of Rochdale.

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy played Professor Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington in both Ellesmere Port and in Rochdale.

Ellesmere Port Civic Centre staged the show until 20 December and Rochdale’s Gracie Fields Theatre from 22-31 December.

The panto also featured The Chase’s Mark Labbett (known as The Beast), who played King Rat.

Jimmy tweeted: “What a thrill it was to play panto in my adopted home town of Rochdale, at the Gracie Fields Theatre. I ‘d like to thank all my friends and neighbours for supporting their local Theatre.”

The 72-year-old comedian also posted his thanks to everyone involved in the production of the panto, including his “wonderful” fellow cast members.

Jimmy Cricket tweeted his thanks to everyone involved in the panto

A pleasant surprise ahead of Christmas pantomime 150 150 mhamer

A pleasant surprise ahead of Christmas pantomime

 

Jimmy Cricket's December column in the Preston-based Lancashire Post

Jimmy Cricket has revealed his joyful amazement when he discovered the identity of one of his fellow pantomime performers.

The well-known Northern Irish entertainer is currently playing Professor Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington, which is running at the Gracie Fields Theatre until New Year’s Eve in Rochdale where he lives.

The panto also features The Chase’s Mark Labbett (also known as The Beast), who plays King Rat.

Jimmy, 72, says in his December column in the Preston-based Lancashire Post that over the years he has played a lot of shows at a small theatre called the West Cliff in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.

“Every now and then, when I would come round to the front of house after the show to say goodnight, there would be a lady called Chrissie Grew with her two sons,” he recalls.

“As the years went by, Chrissie would keep in touch telling me about one of her boys – Danny – who developed a ‘magic act’.

“She would tell me about him taking his first tentative steps into the world of show business. Then her emails would get more exciting as more and more bookings would come in.

“Fast forward to a few months ago and I sign up to play panto in my adopted town of Rochdale this Christmas.

“I arrive to do the publicity launch and guess who’s playing Dick Whittington? You’re absolutely right! Danny! Yes, all those times his mum, Chrissie, took him to see stage shows planted seeds of a flower that has now blossomed.”

Dick Whittington panto details

Jimmy Cricket: What I want for Christmas and Strictly Come Dancing 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket: What I want for Christmas and Strictly Come Dancing

Jimmy Cricket appeared in the 50th edition of Rochdale Style

Jimmy Cricket was the subject of a special feature in the 50th edition of Rochdale Style.

The article about the Rochdale-based, Belfast-born comedian, 72, was in a question-and-answer format.

Among the questions were what does the Northern Irish entertainer want for Christmas.

His reply? “Peace or the box set of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! I just watch Fred on YouTube and think he’s incredible. He’s a big inspiration to me.”

And when asked if he would appear on BBC’s popular Strictly Come Dancing, Jimmy said: “Oh Yes? Tomorrow!”

The Rochdale Style magazine is edited by actor Colin Meredith, a good friend of Jimmy.

Jimmy is currently playing Professor Fitzwarren in pantomime Dick Whittington, which is running at Rochdale’s Gracie Fields Theatre until New Year’s Eve.

The panto also features The Chase’s Mark Labbett (also known as The Beast), who plays King Rat.

Dick Whittington panto details

 

Jimmy Cricket praises sets for Christmas pantos 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket praises sets for Christmas pantos

Dick WhittingtonJimmy Cricket has praised the sets for the pantos he is appearing in over the festive season.

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy plays Professor Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington, which opens in his adopted hometown of Rochdale on Friday (22 December).

Ellesmere Port Civic Centre staged the show until Wednesday and Rochdale’s Gracie Fields Theatre will now host it up to New Year’s Eve (22-31 December).

The panto also features The Chase’s Mark Labbett (also known as The Beast), who plays King Rat.

Jimmy tweeted that the sets were “some of the best I have worked with over the years!”.

Dick Whittington panto details

 

Dick Whittington panto opens in Ellesmere Port 150 150 mhamer

Dick Whittington panto opens in Ellesmere Port

All the panto cast members, including Jimmy Cricket, had lunch at The Flying Horse in RochdaleThe pantomime in which Jimmy Cricket is performing this festive season had its first show this weekend.

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy plays Professor Fitzwarren in that old favourite Dick Whittington in both Ellesmere Port and his adopted hometown of Rochdale.

Ellesmere Port Civic Centre will stage the show until Wednesday (20 December) and Rochdale’s Gracie Fields Theatre from Friday until New Year’s Eve (22-31 December).

The panto will also feature The Chase’s Mark Labbett (also known as The Beast), who plays King Rat.

All the cast members had a pre-panto lunch at The Flying Horse pub restaurant in Rochdale town centre. The venue was the Rochdale, Oldham & Bury pub of the year 2016.

Dick Whittington panto details

Francis House benefits from Rochdale ‘jam’ night 150 150 mhamer

Francis House benefits from Rochdale ‘jam’ night

Warner Entertainments posted their thanks to Jimmy on Twitter

A children’s hospice in south Manchester benefited from Jimmy Cricket’s latest  ‘jam’ night in Rochdale.

The event, hosted by the famous Northern Irish entertainer and his wife May Marion every couple of months,  takes place in the lounge area of a local parish centre in his home town of Rochdale.

It started about a decade ago as an opportunity for Jimmy and other performers to try out new routines and is still going strong.

The famous entertainer has nicknamed those who come to regularly support these evenings as ‘Jimmy’s Jammers’.

At every event,  there is a raffle and the selling of refreshments, with all proceeds donated to a chosen charity.

Francis House Children’s Hospice, which is based in Didsbury, was the beneficiary of the December jam night, which was also attended by Brian and Maxine Warner of Warner Entertainments.