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soap opera

Katie Mulgrew appears in Coronation Street shows 150 150 mhamer

Katie Mulgrew appears in Coronation Street shows

Katie Mulgrew has been appearing in Coronation Street

Katie Mulgrew, stand-up comedian and Jimmy Cricket’s daughter, has been appearing in Coronation Street.

Well-known Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy, 72, tweeted (above) that Katie was in Monday’s episodes of the popular soap and will appear on Wednesday as well.

She had a talking part in Monday’s first episode (see 18.38 in a rerun of the show here) and appears again in the second one.

Katie, from Rochdale, is also a writer and was recently one of three winners of the Northern Writers Award run by Kudos North, the Manchester-based production arm of Kudos.

Daughter Katie wins coveted playwriting prize 150 150 mhamer

Daughter Katie wins coveted playwriting prize

The Stage newspaper reported on Katie Mulgrew's success

Famous entertainer Jimmy Cricket has expressed his immense pride after daughter Katie won a prestigious playwriting competition.

The Rochdale Observer reported on Katie Mulgrew's success

Katie Mulgrew, 30, was the winner of the first ever Liverpool Hope University playwriting prize, with her work entitled Omnibus, which follows a group of friends following a soap opera.

Not only did she earn herself £10,000 in the process, but she now has the opportunity to see the play produced by the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool, one of the partners for the competition along with the Liverpool Echo newspaper.

She was the only female comic among the 10 finalists.

Katie told The Stage newspaper: “I entered the Liverpool Hope Playwriting Prize because some of my heroes are on the judging panel, and I would adore the opportunity to work with such a beautiful theatre, positively soaked in history and talent.”

Her play was shortlisted at the start of the year as part of a group of 10 plays that went to a judging panel consisting of:

–         Comedienne Kathy Burke

–         Screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce

–          Playwright, director and visiting professor at Liverpool Hope University John Godber

–          Playwriter & arts journalist  Paul Allen

–          Chief executive of the Royal Court Theatre Kevin Fearon

–          Principal Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Studies at Liverpool Hope University‌ Dr John Bennett

–          Liverpool Echo arts editor Catherine Jones

Jimmy said: “I am really thrilled for Katie and am incredibly proud of this tremendous achievement.”

The Rochdale Observer reported on Katie Mulgrew's success

Teaming up with ‘Demis Roussos’! 150 150 mhamer

Teaming up with ‘Demis Roussos’!

 Jimmy Cricket with fan Susan Barnes at the Jimmy & Alfie ShowA Demis Roussos impersonation was part of the entertainment when Jimmy Cricket joined up with fellow comedian Alfie Joey.

The Jimmy & Alfie Show took place at the Customs House Theatre in South Shields  last month.

Alfie has a real Tyneside connection as not only was he born in the region, he is also the current presenter of BBC Radio Newcastle’s breakfast show.

The show was well-received and Alfie even did an impersonation of Artemios ‘Demis’ Ventouris Roussos, a Greek singer who had a string of international hit records as a solo performer in the 1970s. His most famous single was Forever And Ever which topped the charts in several countries.

Jimmy said: “I was happy to spend some time after the show meeting and greeting those who were in attendance and was thrilled to have a chat with Susan Barnes.” (pictured above right).

Green cake with wellies on it! 150 150 mhamer

Green cake with wellies on it!

Jimmy Cricket was presented with an Irish-themed cake when he returned to perform at the Billingham Forum Theatre near MiddlesbroughJimmy Cricket was presented with an Irish-themed cake when he returned to perform at the Billingham Forum Theatre near Middlesbrough.

The famous Belfast-born entertainer appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the North East theatre over the Christmas and New Year period. Sellout crowds watched the pantomime; in fact, the biggest attendances ever for a panto at the venue.

And as he arrived to perform again at the theatre at the start of April, he was greeted with a green cake with a pair of wellingtons on it – Jimmy is renowned in his acts for wearing wellies on the wrong feet!

The cake was made by Stockton resident Yasmin Calvert whose mum, Janet, went to the stage door of the theatre to hand it to Jimmy.Jimmy Cricket appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the North East theatre over the Christmas and New Year period

Jimmy said: “I was overjoyed on receiving it as it’s one of the best that anyone has made for me. I was particularly impressed with the detail of the decoration and amazed at how it was produced all in green!

“A big thank you to Yasmin for the efforts she went to in making this culinary delight for me.”

His comedy show was a triumph as almost 400 people came to see Jimmy on his return.

He invited the Heritage Dance School to perform a  few numbers during the show and added: “I was  very pleased with their efforts as they slotted in really nicely.”

Presenting… the Jimmy & Alfie Show 150 150 mhamer

Presenting… the Jimmy & Alfie Show

Jimmy Cricket is set to join forces with BBC Radio Newcastle’s Alfie Joey for a comedy show to be reckoned with at South Shield’s The Customs House

The legendary Jimmy Cricket is set to join forces with BBC Radio Newcastle’s Alfie Joey for a comedy extravaganza at The Customs House Theatre in South Shields.

For one night only, two of the finest exponents of the art of comedy will bring their contrasting styles to a show that will be bursting with one-liners, gags, stories and the odd punchline or two!

The Jimmy and Alfie Show is on Saturday 10 May.  Tickets have been kept affordable, with the top price capped at £14.

Alfie said: “It is a sheer delight to be sharing the stage with a comedy great like Jimmy Cricket.

“By teaming up with Jimmy, we not only complement one another, but we’ll bring different gag-telling approaches to the evening. This means those who can come along will have a real taste of comedy throughout our show at The Customs House.”

Jimmy said: “I’ve worked with Alfie on a number of occasions in the past, including teaming up together a couple of years ago for a show at the ARC arts centre in Stockton-on-Tees. So I was thrilled to be offered this chance to work with him again in South Shields because he is just great fun to be around.

“Why not come along and indulge in a few chuckles in what will be a splendid evening of laughter and frivolity!”

Lemon Tree, jam night & soap stars 150 150 mhamer

Lemon Tree, jam night & soap stars

Brian and Maxine from the renowned band caked Lemon Tree

A renowned band called Lemon Tree were among the artists at a recent jam night organised and hosted by famous comedian Jimmy Cricket.

Local, national and sometimes international entertainers perform for nothing at the monthly event which takes place at St Vincents RC Parish Centre in Norden, Rochdale.

Among the musicians at the jam evening in March was Lemon Tree which features Brian and Maxine.

Jimmy said: “The pair have been in the business of performing for a number of years and Lemon Tree developed a reputation of being one of the best corporate live musical bands in the country.

“As a result they were never out of work and travelled the length and breadth of the country performing at major corporate events and company parties.”

Out of the success of the band, Brian also developed an entertainment agency called the Lemon Tree Agency.

It initially specialised in arranging musical acts and bands,  but of late Brian has developed the personal appearance side of the business through links he has made with a number of soap stars. His new website can be found here. 

Brian and Maxine are seen above performing at the St Vincents jam night in March and, below, they are pictured with Jimmy.

Both photographs were taken by St Vincent’s photographer John Kay.

Jimmy Cricket with Brian and Maxine from the renowned band caked Lemon Tree
Jimmy pays tribute to panto team 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy pays tribute to panto team
The entire panto cast including Yvonne Patterson who took on the role of Wicked Queen and the dancers from the Stockton Heritage dance studio

The entire panto cast, including Yvonne Patterson who took on the role of Wicked Queen and the dancers from the Stockton Heritage dance studio

Jimmy Cricket with Malcolm Dixon, who played the head dwarf, and whose wife Anita was the production’s stage manager

Jimmy with Malcolm Dixon, who played the head dwarf, and whose wife Anita was the production’s stage manager

Famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket has been reflecting on the successful pantomime in which he starred over the festive season.

The Northern Irish entertainer played the comedy role of Muddles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Billingham Forum Theatre near Middlesbrough.

Also in the cast was Emmerdale’s Kurtis Stacey (he plays Alex Moss in the soap) who featured in the role of the Wicked Henchman.

In total, a record 30,000 spectators came through the theatre’s doors to watch Jimmy and the cast over several weeks.

And it consistently had excellent reviews from people who see the show during the Christmas and New Year period.

Jimmy said: “I would like to pay tribute to the wonderful cast that had been assembled and express my gratitude to the excellent production team that put the show together led by producer Duggie Chapman.

Jimmy Cricket and Kurtis Stacey

Jimmy and Stacey

“I am also grateful to all the wonderful staff at the Forum Theatre under the watchful eye of manager Derek Cooper.”

He also acknowledges the fantastic cottage (scene photo below) he stayed at over the duration of the pantomime which was situated within Abbey Hill Cottages and is run by Paul, Smokey and Mary.

Jimmy liked the North East venue so much that he will bring his stand-up comedy show to the Forum Theatre on the afternoon of Sunday 6 April. To book tickets for Jimmy’s return visit with his comedy show, visit the theatre website here.

Jimmy Cricket stayed at a cottage in the countryside during the panto