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shows

Up and running in Eastbourne 150 150 mhamer

Up and running in Eastbourne

Article about Jimmy Cricket from the Eastbourne Herald

Here are two articles marking Jimmy Cricket’s arrival for his summer show in Eastbourne.

The Belfast-born comedian is appearing in a variety show, Sentimental Journey, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, from 1 May to 26 September.

Also appearing are fellow comedians Barry Moon and Mike Lee, world-renowned tribute acts Colin Gold and Tracy Lea – who perform as Billy Fury and Connie Francis respectively – and the Show Time Dancers.

The article above is from the Eastbourne Herald on 27 April and below from the Sussex Express (same date).

Article about Jimmy Cricket from the Sussex Express

Famous singer remembered 150 150 mhamer

Famous singer remembered

Jimmy Cricket and friends at the Mansfield Palace Theatre

Jimmy Cricket has starred in a charity show organised by a society set up in memory of a 1950s singing star.

The Irish entertainer appeared at the Palace Theatre in Mansfield in a matinee performance which also featured his good friend, magician Freddie Wilkinson.

Also on the show, staged by Jeff Kemp and Vernon Brand who are lead members of the David Whitfield Commemorative Society, was an excellent young singer called Rhiannon and the Johnny Pat Band featuring – as well as Johnny – Terry Bell, Garry Gillyatt and Dave Harvey.

David Whitfield magazine

The society has adopted the Marie Curie Cancer Care organisation as its charity for all fund-raising and a collection was taken at the show.

In the photos with Jimmy are Vernon, Jeff, Betty and Helen.

Hull-born David Whitfield began his singing career in the city’s working men’s clubs after being de-mobbed from the Royal Navy in 1950 and found fame after taking part in talent programme, Opportunity Knocks, on Radio Luxembourg.

He had a number of songs that topped the charts in the UK and US, including Answer Me, I Believe and Cara Mia.

Whitfield, whose label was Decca Records, was the first male singer to receive a gold disc for one million record sales and the first British artist to enter the US top 10 chart.

The singer died in 1980 at the age of 53, while touring in Australia.

Jimmy Cricket and friends at the Mansfield Palace Theatre

The 25-year-old photograph 150 150 mhamer

The 25-year-old photograph
Jimmy Cricket with Clare Boulton

Smile please for the camera!Jimmy Cricket with Clare Boulton

This is what Jimmy Cricket looked like 25 years ago!

The famous Irish comedian was given a reminder in a photograph sent to him recently.

He is pictured with a fan called Clare Boulton who emailed the photo to Jimmy, saying: “I found this one of us many years ago and I even got your signature!!!”

It was taken in the Springfield Hotel in Holywell, North Wales.

All aboard for comedy, music and dance! 150 150 mhamer

All aboard for comedy, music and dance!
Family variety summer show poster

The family variety summer show will take the audience on a nostalgic trip

Jimmy Cricket is starring in a “royal” variety show this summer to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

The family entertainment extravaganza, Sentimental Journey, is at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, from 1 May to 26 September.

And it will take the audience on a nostalgic trip back to the 1960s and beyond.

Jimmy will be joined by fellow comedians Barry Moon and Mike Lee, world-renowned tribute acts Colin Gold and Tracy Lea – who perform as Billy Fury and Connie Francis respectively – and the Show Time Dancers.

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.

Stars in Their Eyes was a British television talent show that was screened on Saturday nights from 21 July 1990 to 23 December 2006 and in which contestants impersonated showbiz stars.

Connie Francis’ greatest hits included Who’s Sorry Now, Lipstick on Your Collar and Stupid Cupid.

Performances are at 8.15 each night. Tickets cost £12 and £17 – go here for more information.

Jimmy opens theatre charity shop 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy opens theatre charity shop
Jimmy cuts the ribbons to open the new theatre charity shop

Jimmy cuts the ribbons to open the new theatre charity shop

Jimmy Cricket has had the honour of officially opening a theatre’s new charity shop.

The Irish funnyman is a patron of the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, along with fellow comedian Roy Hudd.

Jimmy has a soft spot for the venue, having done a couple of summer seasons there in the last five years, and so put on a show there recently as a fundraiser.

The newspaper article about Jimmy Cricket

The newspaper article about Jimmy Cricket

The theatre has lately had its council grant withdrawn, but benefited by approximately £1,000 from Jimmy’s show.

Jimmy said: “This was not the end of the story though.

“West Cliff Theatre decided to open a second-hand charity shop as part of its fundraising drive, along the lines of the usual ones associated with British Heart Foundation, Scope et al – there are a fair few of these in Rochdale.

“So I marked my latest visit to the town with a double strike: not just the show, but I was invited to officially open the theatre’s new charity shop. I duly performed the honours during the lunch hour and then performed at the theatre in the evening!

“Hopefully, my contribution to the two events will have helped in some small way to keeping the theatre going.”

Jimmy added: “I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing theatre manager, Mike Bareham, for all his hard work over the years. His commitment and dedication to the theatre have been magnificent.

Jimmy with Jennifer who posted the newspaper article on Facebook

Jimmy with Jennifer who posted the newspaper article on Facebook

“The new theatre manager is Andy Jeffrey who I have known for quite some time.

Jimmy with fans Erika and Anna in Clacton-on-Sea

Jimmy with fans Erika and Anna in Clacton-on-Sea

“This is because Andy worked at the Weston-super-Mare Playhouse when I did their pantomime a few years ago. Andy is about to take over the reins very shortly and this is an exciting new chapter for the theatre.

“He is steeped in theatrical know-how and already has some fresh ideas and new thinking as the theatre enters a phase where it will have to be more self-reliant in the future.”

Why Jimmy is so fond of Midlands town 150 150 mhamer

Why Jimmy is so fond of Midlands town
Sutton Coldfield Observer preview of Jimmy's latest performance in the town

Sutton Coldfield Observer preview of Jimmy's latest performance in the town

Jimmy Cricket is to appear in a charity show in a town which has a special place in his heart.

The famous Irish comedian is performing at the Falcon Lodge Youth and Community Centre in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, West Midlands, on Friday 30 March.

It means Jimmy will also be able to see his youngest son, Frankie, who is training to be a Roman Catholic priest at nearby Oscott College.

He told the Sutton Coldfield Observer: “I love that neck of the woods. I was there in November for a Help the Heroes night and I’m really looking forward to returning, both to perform and to see my son.”

The profits from the show will go to the Carpenter’s Arms Community Centre which is operated by the Sutton Central Churches Trust.

For tickets to the show, ring the Falcon Lodge centre on 0121 378 1555.

Sinatra tribute singer thrills audience 150 150 mhamer

Sinatra tribute singer thrills audience
Frank Sinatra tribute act Frank Forde compered the Manchester City FC Social Club in the 70s

Frank Sinatra tribute act Frank Forde compered the Manchester City FC Social Club

A Frank Sinatra tribute artiste and performer delighted the audience with his singing at Jimmy Cricket’s latest Golden Wellington Club night.

Manchester-born Frank Forde received a rapturous reception for his performance on another night of top music and comedy at St Vincent’s Parish Centre in Norden, Rochdale.

Jimmy said: “Frank compered the Manchester City FC Social Club for many years in the 70s. It opened from Wednesday to Sunday and had three acts a night.

“His vocal impressions brought him a big following among the patrons and he was on first-name terms with most of the players at the time.

“One of his best friends is Mike Yarwood who had his own television series and specialised in impressions of Harold Wilson, the-then Prime Minister.”

Frank’s website says he “had the pleasure of introducing and performing with some of the top stars”.

These included Bill Haley & His Comets, The Drifters, Matt Monro, Frankie Vaughan, Mike Yarwood, Bob Monkhouse, Ken Dodd, The Supremes, Tony Christie, The Three Degrees, Lulu and most of the TV comics like Freddie Star, Bernard Manning, Frank Carson and – of course – Jimmy Cricket!

To hear Frank singing at the Golden Wellington Club, go to the homepage of this website and click on the arrow in the middle of the screen.