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the bachelors

No More Fiffing & Faffing to go on UK tour in 2019 150 150 mhamer

No More Fiffing & Faffing to go on UK tour in 2019

 

Jimmy Cricket tweeted: My thanks to Jonathan Young and @ColinMeredith52 for tonight’s performance of, “No More Fiffing and Faffing” and to the great reception we got from the audience @ThwaitesEmpire!

Jimmy Cricket’s first play, which got a great reception from the audience on its debut performance, is touring northern England in 2019.

No more Fiffing and Faffing was staged for the first time in September this year at the Blackburn Empire Theatre.

Appearing with funnyman Jimmy was Jonathan Young from The Bachelors, and actor Colin Meredith, who has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years.

The play will now be performed at The Met in Bury (23 February), Chorley Theatre (19 May), the Bridlington Spa (18 July) and the Gladstone Theatre on The Wirral.

No more Fiffing and Faffing was reviewed in the latest edition of the Rochdale-based Style magazine (see image below).

Jimmy tweeted: “My thanks to Ruth and Colin for the review in the recently released Style Magazine, we will be bringing the Comedy Play to 23rd February, 19th May, 18th July, and at the Gladstone Theatre in the in 2019!”

The show, written by Jimmy, is an hilarious look at the end of an era of British comedy.

It is about comedy double act Joe Fiffen and Jerry Faffen on their last night in showbusiness. As well as looking as some of their classic sketches, they’ll be settling some old scores in the dressing room.

Go here to book tickets for the show in Bury in February

Style Magazine

Raising funds for St Boniface in Lancaster 150 150 mhamer

Raising funds for St Boniface in Lancaster

Had a wonderful night at Bentham Town Hall pictured here with organisers Brian and Mavis Mason with fellow act Jonathan Young alongside Fr Frank for St Boniface Parish Funds!

Famous entertainer Jimmy Cricket helped raise funds for a church in Lancaster earlier this month.

The Northern Irish comedian performed at Bentham Town Hall in the Lancashire city on Saturday 10 November in aid of St Boniface Roman Catholic Church.

Also on the show was Jimmy’s wife May Marion and their good friend Jonathan Young from The Bachelors.

The church’s website said the event was a sellout and “a very enjoyable evening”.

Jimmy tweeted the photos above and added: “Had a wonderful night at Bentham Town Hall pictured here with organisers Brian and Mavis Mason with fellow act Jonathan Young alongside Fr Frank for St Boniface Parish Funds!”

 

 

A pleasure working for showbiz legend & friend 150 150 mhamer

A pleasure working for showbiz legend & friend

Always a pleasure working for showbiz Legend and friend, Mr Johnny Manns, (in conjunction with Barbara Lindsey), alongside my other friend and musical arranger David Carter, with fellow pro’s Con and Dec, “The Bachelors” tonight at the Ivy Leaf Club!

Jimmy Cricket worked again recently with someone he describes as a “showbiz legend”.

The Northern Irish comedian was performing on a show at the Ivy Leaf Club in Whittlesey, Peterborough on Friday 19 October, which was organised by Johnny Mans and his production team in association with Barbara Lindsey.

Jimmy, 73, posted on social media: “Always a pleasure working for showbiz Legend and friend, Mr Johnny Mans, (in conjunction with Barbara Lindsey), alongside my other friend and musical arranger David Carter, with fellow pros Con and Dec, “The Bachelors” tonight at the Ivy Leaf Club!”

Johnny is the third generation of a showbiz family with his grandfather being a Yorkshire comedian and his grandmother a dancer with the Tiller Girls, a popular dance troupe famous for their high-kicking routines and who once counted former House Of Commons Speaker Baroness Boothroyd as a member.

His mother also became a Tiller Girl, as well as being a pantomime producer and a dance school teacher. Johnny’s six sisters were professional dancers, one of them touring with Arthur Lucan (Old Mother Riley) and another in Kirby’s Flying Ballet.

Johnny performed in his mother’s pantomime productions from the age of eight and after several years he developed his own comedy act and became one of the famous Carroll Levis discoveries, appearing on television from the Aston Studios in Birmingham.

Over the years Johnny appeared in theatres with star names of that era, including the famous American comedy duo The Bernard Brothers.

He also worked with Derek Roy, Jimmy Young, Marty Wilde, Ronnie Hilton and for a while joined the holiday camp world, first as a Redcoat and then a short spell as a Bluecoat, becoming an entertainment manager at the age of just 21.

The world of clubland also beckoned and he performed throughout the UK. After five summer seasons in Jersey in various productions, he eventually turned his hand to producing his own shows, being an agent and manager and also a concert promoter.

Since the early 1980s, he has been a prominent name in the entertainment world, having managed major stars such as Sir Norman Wisdom, Anne Shelton, Max Bygraves, Danny La Rue, Nicholas Parsons, Jon Pertwee and many other celebrities.

He has also produced and promoted shows for big names such as Des O’Connor, Cilla Black, The Platters, Bob Monkhouse, Val Doonican, Suzi Quatro, Little & Large, Tom O’Connor, John Inman and Dame Vera Lynn.

In 2009 he took over Encore magazine, printed every two months for the entertainment industry.

Charity is also a major part of Johnny’s life and over the past 40 years he has been involved with many fundraising organisations, including the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund (now the Royal Variety Charity), the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and the British Heart Foundation.

Johnny, who is also a family man, has produced shows at Buckingham Palace in the company of several members of the Royal Family.

Jimmy Cricket’s play delights Blackburn Empire Theatre audience 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket’s play delights Blackburn Empire Theatre audience

Jimmy Cricket tweeted: My thanks to Jonathan Young and @ColinMeredith52 for tonight’s performance of, “No More Fiffing and Faffing” and to the great reception we got from the audience @ThwaitesEmpire!

Jimmy Cricket’s first play got a great reception from the audience on its debut performance – and was watched by a special guest.

No more Fiffing and Faffing was staged for the first time at the Blackburn Empire Theatre on Sunday evening.

Appearing with funnyman Jimmy was Jonathan Young from The Bachelors, and actor Colin Meredith, who has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years.

Among the audience was Lady Anne Dodd, widow of famous comedian Sir Ken Dodd who died aged 90 in May this year.

Jimmy tweeted after the show: “A big thank you to my friends , neighbours and supporters for coming to my new play last night at the Blackburn Empire.. A special thanks to Lady Anne Dodd. To see you all there was heart warming.”

He also posted on social media: “My thanks to Jonathan Young and for tonight’s performance of, “No More Fiffing and Faffing” and to the great reception we got from the audience !”

 

Jimmy Cricket’s play just days away – don’t miss it! 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket’s play just days away – don’t miss it!

Jimmy Cricket's new play is called No more Fiffing and Faffing

The one and only performance of Jimmy Cricket’s first play is now only a few days away.

No more Fiffing and Faffing will be staged at the Blackburn Empire Theatre on Sunday (16 September) at 7.30pm.

Join comedy double act Joe Fiffen and Jerry Faffen on their last night in showbusiness. As well as their classic sketches, they’ll be settling some old scores in the dressing room.

Appearing with famous comedian Jimmy will be Jonathan Young from The Bachelors, and actor Colin Meredith, who has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years.

Tickets cost £10. You can also book by telephoning 01254 685 500. The theatre’s email address is boxoffice@blackburnempire.com

Read more about the play and book online here.

BBC Radio Lancashire interview about first play 150 150 mhamer

BBC Radio Lancashire interview about first play

New #theatre show about a #comedy double act on their last night in the spotlight called #NoMoreFiffingandFaffing on @ThwaitesEmpire. The very funny @jimmy__cricket, @ColinMeredith52 who's been in lots of TV shows chat 2 @Gillylancs on @BBCLancashire?➡️https://www.bbc.co.uk/radiolancashire – at BBC Radio Lancashire

Jimmy Cricket has been interviewed on BBC Radio Lancashire about the staging of his first play later this month.

The famous comedian was accompanied by fellow actor Colin Meredith to talk about No more Fiffing and Faffing, which will be performed at the Blackburn Empire Theatre on Sunday 16 September at 7.30pm.

Appearing with Jimmy and Colin, who has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years, will be Jonathan Young from The Bachelors.

Tickets cost £10. You can also book by telephoning 01254 685 500. The theatre’s email address is boxoffice@blackburnempire.com.

Listen to Jimmy and Colin chatting to BBC Radio Lancashire presenter John Gillmore here (the interview starts at 1.50.20)

Read more about the play and book online 

Jimmy Cricket's new play is called No more Fiffing and Faffing

Tickets are selling fast for Jimmy Cricket’s first play 150 150 mhamer

Tickets are selling fast for Jimmy Cricket’s first play

Tickets for the world premiere of Jimmy Cricket’s first play are selling fast.

No more Fiffing and Faffing will be staged at the Blackburn Empire Theatre on Sunday 16 September at 7.30pm.

Join comedy double act Joe Fiffen and Jerry Faffen on their last night in showbusiness. As well as their classic sketches, they’ll be settling some old scores in the dressing room.

Appearing with famous comedian Jimmy will be Jonathan Young from The Bachelors, and actor Colin Meredith, who has had several notable appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years.

Tickets cost £10. You can also book by telephoning 01254 685 500. The theatre’s email address is boxoffice@blackburnempire.com

Read more about the play and book online here.

Mike Johnson tweeted: "No more Fiffing and Faffing written by and starring @jimmy__cricket with Jonathan Young and Colin Meredith @ThwaitesEmpire - tickets going fast don't miss out book https://blackburnempire.com/event/no-more-fiffing-faffing/ … or phone 01254 685 500."

Jimmy and his wife May have just returned from a European cruise.

Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy was performing on the Magellan – a ship belonging to Cruise and Maritime Voyages – which sailed along the coasts of France, Portugal and Spain.

Earlier on the cruise, they visited the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela, the resting place for the relics of the apostle St James and the finishing point for a popular pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James).

And later they went to the National Pantheon (Panteão Nacional) in Lisbon, in which important Portuguese personalities – including Eusébio – are buried. Eusébio da Silva Ferreira is considered by many as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

On their return, Jimmy posted on social media (see photo below): “Back on dry land and my thanks to one of the newer Cruise ? Companies for looking after us so well, here with fellow artist onboard Gary with his family!”

Jimmy Cricket tweeted: "Back on dry land and my thanks to one of the newer Cruise ? Companies @CMVoyages for looking after us so well, here with fellow artist onboard Gary with his family!"