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Christmas carol service with a difference 150 150 mhamer

Christmas carol service with a difference

Jimmy Cricket is starring in a Christmas carol service with a comedy twist.

The difference between this carol service, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio Lancashire at noon on Christmas Eve, and a conventional one is that this version features comedians who intersperse the music and singing with sprinklings of humour.

The BBC Radio Lancashire carol service includes Jimmy Cricket, Steve Royle, Danny Pensive and Tony Vino

Also involved with famous entertainer Jimmy is BBC Radio Lancs comedian and presenter Steve Royle, alongside comics Danny Pensive and Tony Vino.

The carol service was recorded at the Roman Catholic church in the East Lancashire town of Clitheroe where Jimmy’s son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew, is based.

Fr Frankie did a reading alongside the Parish Priest at St Michael and St John’s RC Church, Fr John. Pictured is the front page of the order of service.

It includes all the classic carols one would expect for such a service, like Ding Dong Merrily on High, Silent Night and We Three Kings.

Jimmy will be listening to the programme on Christmas Eve – in between his 10:15am and 1:30pm performances of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in Preston.

The panto, which opened last week and runs through to 3 January,  is a straight transfer from a hugely successful show, which was hosted at the Billingham Forum Theatre in Stockton-On-Tees last year.

Tickets are very affordable for all the family and the show schedule has a range of options, including morning, afternoon and early evening performances.

For more details and to book online, please visit the theatre’s website.

Carrying on the Walt Disney legacy 150 150 mhamer

Carrying on the Walt Disney legacy

Famous entertainer Jimmy Cricket says the pantomime production of  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Preston will stay true to the original Walt Disney version.

In his latest column for the Lancashire Evening Post, which is based in the Lancashire city where the show is being staged this Christmas, Jimmy says it uses some of the songs from the original film.

The panto, which opened last week at the Charter Theatre and runs through to 3 January,  is a straight transfer from a hugely successful show, which was hosted at the Billingham Forum Theatre in Stockton-On-Tees last year.

Tickets are very affordable for all the family and the show schedule has a range of options, including morning, afternoon and early evening performances.

For more details and to book online, please visit the theatre’s website.

Jimmy Cricket talks about Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in his latest Lancashire Evening Post column

It’s nearly panto time! 150 150 mhamer

It’s nearly panto time!

Jimmy Cricket is starring in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in PrestonFamous entertainer Jimmy Cricket is about to embark on a return to  his beloved pantomime land.

This year’s destination is the Charter Theatre in Preston for a version of the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Rehearsals for the show began this week ahead of the opening performance on Tuesday (2 December) and Northern Irish comedian Jimmy is really looking forward to what is a  very enjoyable time of year for him.

He said: “I am thrilled to be joining up with cast members who were with me during last year’s Christmas season in the North East, as the Preston pantomime is a straight transfer of a hugely successful show which was hosted at the Billingham Forum Theatre.”

Tickets are very affordable for all the family and the show schedule has a range of options, including morning, afternoon and early evening performances.

For more details and to book online please visit the theatre’s website.

A new comedy song for Christmas 150 150 mhamer

A new comedy song for Christmas

A new Christmas comedy song entitled ‘The Ballad of Harvey the Turkey’ is about to be released by the nation’s favourite Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket.

A new Christmas comedy song called The Ballad of Harvey the Turkey is about to be released by the nation’s favourite Irish comedian, Jimmy Cricket.

It is a lively tale of a turkey being adopted by Jimmy’s family, instead of ending up – as intended – on the Christmas Day platter.

Jimmy has always enjoyed the Christmas season, having headlined nearly 30 festive shows in many major towns and cities over his celebrated career, so it is fitting this king of the pantomime has decided to release a Christmas song.

Specialist comedy record label Rolling Tear are the force behind the song as they think it’s perfect for the 2014 festive season. They have produced the track and the song’s release is scheduled for the beginning of December.

David Tennant from Rolling Tear said: “Christmas is the season when the novelty song reigns. Over the years we have had some great festive tunes from Wizard, The Pogues, Noddy Holder, Cliff Richard and even Benny Hill!

“So we believe here at Rolling Tear that we can keep this tradition alive by working with the much-loved Jimmy Cricket and releasing this seasonal tale about a turkey called Harvey.”

Jimmy said: “Christmas is like no other time in the year. This is the same with the music we listen to, as for a really wonderful reason, we like to listen to feel-good tunes that get us in the mood at this time of the year. So I penned The Ballad of Harvey the Turkey with this in mind.

“And there’s more… it also has a distinct festive theme like no other, as everyone knows about Christmas dinner and how we all look forward to the feast it is.

“Well, this song describes the same glorious anticipation, but with a slightly different comical outcome!”

* Jimmy  is headlining Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in Preston – where he made his pantomime debut in 1981 – over the Christmas and New Year period.

One hundred events to celebrate 100 years 150 150 mhamer

One hundred events to celebrate 100 years
Jimmy and May Cricket with musicians at the centenary event

Jimmy and May Cricket with musicians at the centenary event

Jimmy Cricket appeared at an evening to mark the centenary anniversary of the opening of an Edwardian picture house in Suffolk.

The charming Leiston Film Theatre has celebrated 100 years by staging 12 months of special events, which have all been arranged by the venue’s manager Wayne Burns (below right).

The theatre has even welcomed royalty during 2014, as the Duke of Gloucester paid a visit there a few days after famous entertainer Jimmy attended his event.Jimmy Cricket and others at the centenary event at Leiston Film Theatre

Mr Burn’s target was for the theatre to host 100 special events over the course of its centenary year.

The fund-raising dinner attended by Jimmy was part of the schedule of 100 events and was held at the nearby Thorpeness Country Club.

Jimmy was there with his good lady, May, to support and endorse the theatre as a delightful live entertainment venue and hoping for another successful 100 years!

Jimmy, May and others at the centenary event at Leiston Film Theatre

Jimmy, May and others at the centenary event

The day a legend arrived on public transport 150 150 mhamer

The day a legend arrived on public transport

The late American singer and actor Bing Crosby is the subject of Jimmy Cricket’s latest column in the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post.

Well-known entertainer Jimmy recalls when Crosby, “none other than the Old Groaner himself”, used public transport instead of a limousine when he appeared in a show in Preston in the late 1970s.

Crosby’s trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with more than half a billion records in circulation – including probably his best known, White Christmas.

“The reasons why Bing took the train instead of plumping for a chauffeur-driven limo are shrouded in mystery, but my guess is that he was a regular guy who liked mixing with ordinary people,” says Jimmy.

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy  is headlining Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in Preston – where he made his pantomime debut in 1981 – over the Christmas and New Year period.

Bing Crosby is the subject of Jimmy Cricket's latest Lancashire Evening Post column

‘Nobody tells a budgie joke like Freddie’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Nobody tells a budgie joke like Freddie’

Jimmy Cricket's latest monthly column in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket relived his wedding day 40 years on in his latest column for the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post.

The famous entertainer  is headlining Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in Preston – where he made his pantomime debut in 1981 – over the Christmas and New Year period.

When the Lancashire Evening Post contacted Jimmy through his website editor Martin Hamer – former digital editor at the LEP – about the idea of a monthly feature in the run-up to the panto, he thought it was a “very flattering request”.

And his most recent column recalls the happy memories from 1974 – and how he celebrated his ruby anniversary.

Jimmy also talks about the pantomime, which will be directed by Freddie ‘Parrot Face’ Davies who found fame in the 1960s on Opportunity Knocks when it was watched by an astonishing 20 million people.

“Nobody tells a budgie joke like Freddie,” laughs Jimmy in his column.