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Panto rehearsals set to start 150 150 mhamer

Panto rehearsals set to start

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamJimmy Cricket will begin rehearsals for his Christmas pantomime at the end of next week.

The Northern Irish entertainer will play the comedy role of Muddles in that old favourite, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at the Forum Theatre in Billingham near Middlesbrough from 7 December to 5 January.

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

On most days, there is planned a 2.30 afternoon matinee and an early evening show starting at around 6pm, but check with the theatre by phone or on its website (details below) as times vary on different days.

The panto is being produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum Theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

For more information or to book a ticket, visit the Forum Theatre website or ring the Box Office on 01642 552663.

Hi ho hi ho, it’s off to work we go 150 150 mhamer

Hi ho hi ho, it’s off to work we go

Cast members of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 7 December to 5 January at the Forum Theatre in Billingham

Some cast members of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 7 December to 5 January at the Forum Theatre in Billingham. Photo credit: Northern Echo

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with some of his fellow cast members at a press launch for the forthcoming festive season pantomime he is headlining.

The Northern Irish entertainer will play the comedy role of Muddles in that old favourite, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, at the Forum Theatre in Billingham near Middlesbrough from 7 December to 5 January.

Alongside Jimmy in the picture above are a couple of the cast who will be playing two of the dwarves, plus Craig Ansell (who will be Sarah the Cook), local girl Victoria Holtom (Snow White), and Emmerdale‘s Kurtis Stacey (he plays Alex Moss in the soap) who will feature in the role of the Wicked Henchman.

On most days, there is planned a 2.30 afternoon matinee and an early evening show starting at around 6pm, but check with the theatre by phone or on its website (details below) as times vary on different days.

The panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum Theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

For more information or to book a ticket, visit the Forum Theatre website or ring the Box Office on 01642 552663.

Jimmy Cricket and Victoria Holtom (Snow White)

Jimmy Cricket and Victoria Holtom (who plays Snow White).  Photograph credit: Northern Echo

Emmerdale star also in panto cast 150 150 mhamer

Emmerdale star also in panto cast

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamAn actor from Emmerdale will also be in the pantomime which Jimmy Cricket is headlining at Christmas.

More details have been released of the panto which runs at the Forum Theatre in Billingham, near Middlesbrough, from the afternoon of Saturday 7 December (commencing at 1.30pm) to Sunday 5 January.

Irish entertainer Jimmy plays the comedy role of Muddles in that old favourite, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, with Kurtis Stacey – who is Alex Moss in ITV’s ever-popular soap opera Emmerdale – the Wicked Queen’s Henchman.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamThe panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum Theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

Jimmy said: “Tickets are reasonably priced between £13.50 and £16.00 – this does not include school rates or group booking rates.

“Couple this affordable ticket rate with the easy accessibility of the evening performance times – they are all scheduled for between 5.30pm and 6.30pm – and this show is definitely a family-friendly, Christmas treat for all the generations!”

For more information or to book a ticket, visit the Forum Theatre website or ring the Box Office on 01642 552663.

Maloney’s Big Moment 150 150 mhamer

Maloney’s Big Moment

Cast in Maloney's Big Moment: Colin Meredith, Cyril Walker, Katie Mulgrew (Jimmy’s daughter who is a stand-up comedian), Russell Richardson, Mark Whiteley, Steve Garner, Sarah Groarke-Booth and Jimmy CricketA newspaper story about a Spanish coastal town electing an English ex-pat as its mayor inspired top entertainer Jimmy Cricket to write a new radio play.

And Maloney’s Big Moment got its first public showing in front of a live audience at St Vincent’s Parish Centre in Rochdale.

Famous comedian Jimmy wrote the play after seeing the article and thinking it was a really fascinating scenario, especially as the elected candidate did not have a particular good grasp of Spanish!Radio producer Roger Neale

Joining Jimmy for the recording in early April was a host of locally based actors and actresses.

These included Colin Meredith, Cyril Walker, Katie Mulgrew (Jimmy’s daughter who is a stand-up comedian), Russell Richardson, Mark Whiteley, Steve Garner and Sarah Groarke-Booth (all the cast are in the photo above), alongside the production team of Gerry Coates and Roger Neale.

Roger Neale (right) came all the way from Mansfield to help out with the production of the play.

Gerry Coates, from the internet Catholic radio station called Heart Gives unto Heart, and Jimmy between them made the production happen.

Interestingly, the new radio station has been acquired by the national Catholic newspaper called The Universe and will now become a division under this paper’s banner.

It is hoped during the relaunch of the station that this radio play will feature prominently in the opening week’s schedule – watch out for further details on this website.

:: Thanks to John Kay for providing these two great photos from this event.

Where will Jimmy be at Christmas? 150 150 mhamer

Where will Jimmy be at Christmas?

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamJimmy Cricket will be headlining the 2013 Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in Billingham, just outside the city of Middlesbrough.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in Billingham

The Irish entertainer will be playing the role of Muddles in a version of Snow White and the seven Dwarves.

The panto will be produced by the hugely experience Duggie Chapman, who has been in charge of the Forum theatre’s panto for the last 15 or so years.

Jimmy posed for the photos on this page last month at a mini press launch which attracted significant interest from the local media. The full launch of the theatre’s Christmas season is not scheduled until the autumn.

Jimmy Cricket will be headlining the Christmas panto at the Forum Theatre in BillinghamHe said: “I’m excited about visiting the North East again at Christmas time. I have featured in pantos in the region before and each time I have received a very warm reception.

“I am also thrilled to be teaming up with Duggie Chapman again, as previously we worked together on Christmas shows at Southport and Ashton-under-Lyne.

“These pantos were hugely successful, both creatively and on the number of people who came along to see the shows.”

Irish legend and free Irish food! 150 150 mhamer

Irish legend and free Irish food!

Jimmy Cricket with the committee who organised the eventIrish legend Jimmy Cricket was the star act at a recent Gala evening run by the Mansfield and Dukeries Irish Association.

Gerry Molumby comperes with Jimmy Cricket sharing the laughterThe entertainment was organised by Nigel Scott and his hard-working committee and the compere for the evening was Gerry Molumby.

Acts also included guitarist Craig Deller and musical group Acushla.

A valuable prize raffle was included together with free Irish food, which warmed up the capacity audience on a bitterly cold April evening.

The Scott family from Mansfield with Jimmy CricketThe venue was the popular social club Boothys in central Mansfield.

Photos with this story are as follows:

Top – The committee who organised the event with Jimmy.

Above right – Gerry Molumby comperes with Jimmy sharing the laughter.

Above left – The Scott family from Mansfield with Jimmy.

Below – Sue and Gerry Sarson with Julie and Mark Brough.

Sue and Gerry Sarson with Julie and Mark Brough

 

Bumping into an old friend… 150 150 mhamer

Bumping into an old friend…

Jimmy Cricket checks out the measurements of the new stall

Jimmy checks out the measurements of the new stall at Heywood Indoor Market

Jimmy Cricket bumped into a friend whom he had not seen for some time when he attended the 10th anniversary celebration of Heywood Indoor Market.

Her name is Jennifer Shaw who has in the past been a promoter of shows and an events organiser.

Some of the shows she has promoted have involved Jimmy and Buzz Hawkins of The Bradshaws fame.

Jennifer still organises golfing events, but recently she has turned her attentions to a haberdashery stall on Heywood Indoor Market which she took over around a year ago.

Said Jimmy: “I was really delighted to see Jennifer again and wish her well with this new venture.”