Posts Tagged :

The Merseybeats

Return to the Benidorm Palace beckons in 2017 150 150 mhamer

Return to the Benidorm Palace beckons in 2017

benidorm_palace

Jimmy Cricket will be returning to the Benidorm Palace in the Alicante region of Spain during the spring of 2017.

The popular 71-year-old entertainer made his first appearance there last autumn (below right) and he is back at this premier venue on the Spanish coastline, which is a real hit with British tourists.

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Benidorm Palace

His visit is scheduled for Sunday 5 March, when he will be the special guest on a bill that will also feature the 60s band Gerry and The Pacemakers as the headliners.

The show has been put together by Jimmy’s friend, Tony Crane, who is one of the founding members and lead singers of The Merseybeats – another band from the 1960s.

Although this glitzy concert hall (pictured above and below) is owned by an English family, throughout the year it hosts not just British shows but concerts for the local Spanish population as well.

Jimmy said: “I’m a real fan of this venue that has a tremendous reputation as the place to appear at within this region of Spain.”

Benidorm Palace

Rocking with laughter – and with The Merseybeats 150 150 mhamer

Rocking with laughter – and with The Merseybeats

Tony Crane of The Merseybeats and his son, Adrian, with Jimmy Cricket

Jimmy Cricket rocked with both laughter and music when he paired up with legendary 60s band The Merseybeats for a special Sunday afternoon show on this year’s Father’s Day.

The double header was presented at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn under the appropriate title of Rock with Laughter.

Jimmy Cricket performs at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn

It gelled nicely as all-round entertainer Jimmy had worked with the Merseybeats previously. He gets on well with their lead singer and original founder Tony Crane.

There was also an extra aspect to The Merseybeats for this concert, given the Father’s Day context, as the band also included Tony’s son, Adrian, who was on keyboards (Jimmy, Tony and Adrian are pictured above).

Comic Jimmy, 70, delivered his inimitable brand of daft and visual comedy, while The Merseybeats ran through their great litany of hits, including Sorrow and Wishin’ and hopin’.

Jimmy said: “I thought the afternoon went really well and hope to match up once again with The Merseybeats in the not-too-distant future.”

It’s double delight for dads on Father’s Day! 150 150 mhamer

It’s double delight for dads on Father’s Day!

Jimmy Cricket and the Merseybeats are appearing at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn on Father's Day

Jimmy Cricket is planning to spend Father’s day this year entertaining other fathers!

The veteran comic will be involved in a special afternoon matinee show that will also feature iconic 60s band, The Merseybeats.

The show on Sunday June 19 will be hosted at the intimate Brindley Theatre in Runcorn.

It starts at 2.30pm, which gives all interested fathers the opportunity to still have a family lunch or evening get-together either before or after the show.

Aside from chuckles and knockabout comedy from Jimmy, this special Father’s Day double header will also present classic anthems such as Sorrow and Wishin’ & Hopin’ from one of the legendary exponents of the much-loved Mersey sound.

Tickets for Rock with Laughter featuring The Merseybeats and Jimmy are priced at £18 & £16 (a £1 booking fee is added to this as part of the transaction) and are available by ringing 0151 907 8360 or visiting www.tickets.thebrindley.org.uk

Oldham Coliseum show raises £9,000 for Francis House Children’s Hospice 150 150 mhamer

Oldham Coliseum show raises £9,000 for Francis House Children’s Hospice

Jimmy Cricket and fellow performers at the Oldham Coliseum

A sum of about £9,000 was raised from the latest edition of a charity show Jimmy Cricket routinely appears in at the Coliseum Theatre in Oldham.

The 2016 version of the Stars come out for Francis House show was held at the end of March.

Jimmy Cricket with Frank Sinatra tribute Jonathan Swift

It was the sixth occasion the concert has been organised to raise funds for the Francis House Children’s Hospice in south Manchester.

In addition to famous entertainer Jimmy, the show featured his friend Jim Nicholas, who not only acted as the show’s host but also co-produced it.

The two Jims were joined on stage by Frank Sinatra tribute act Jonathan Swift (right), the professional whistler David Morris, the vocal duo Kamika, and 60s legends the Merseybeats, who headlined the show.

A packed auditorium helped to raise the most money in six editions of the show for Francis House.

Chief executive of the charity, David Ireland, thanked everyone who had come along to support the event.

The seventh show is already being planned, again at the Coliseum Theatre, for October 2017.

PLEASE NOTE – A REPRISE OF THIS SHOW WILL BE HOSTED BY THE BRINDLEY THEATRE IN RUNCORN ON SUNDAY 19TH JUNE AS JIMMY WILL ONCE MORE TEAM UP WITH THE MERSEYBEATS FOR AN AFTERNNON OF ROCKING WITH LAUGHTER!!!!

Jimmy Cricket and fellow performers at the Oldham Coliseum

Rock with Laughter – 60s classics & giggles galore 150 150 mhamer

Rock with Laughter – 60s classics & giggles galore

Rock With Laughter showA unique show is being lined up for later in the year at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn when a much-loved comedian will team up with an iconic 60s band.

Under the banner Rock with Laughter, the 19 June event will see Jimmy Cricket and the Merseybeats come together for what will be a show that you won’t see anywhere on television.

For one afternoon only, on offer will be a show that will combine the comical and musical talents of two headliners for the price of one. And it will all be presented over a Sunday afternoon, which is the perfect time of the week for relaxing after having lunch with all the family.

Jimmy said: “It is great to be visiting the Brindley, one of the few theatres in the country I have not been to before.

“It is even more fantastic to be sharing the stage on this occasion with Tony Crane and the Merseybeats. They are one of those bands whose longevity is not just down to their string of well-known hits, but because they have remained a quality outfit who put on a great show for all those who come to see them.”

Tony said:  “I have known Jimmy over years, but we have not done too much together on stage, so this is a tremendous chance to see the both of us together on the one occasion!”

The show on Sunday 19 June will begin at 2.30pm. Tickets are priced at £18 & £16, but a £1 booking fee is added as part of the transaction.Tickets are available at 0151 907 8360 or www.tickets.thebrindley.org.uk

Oldham Coliseum charity event could be a sellout 150 150 mhamer

Oldham Coliseum charity event could be a sellout

Tickets are selling fast for the latest edition of the Stars come out for Francis House show scheduled for later this year at the Oldham Coliseum.

Stars come out for Francis House 6 will be at the Oldham Coliseum on 31 March 2016

This is the sixth occasion the fundraiser will be hosted by the theatre and all previous editions have been incredibly well attended, ensuring thousands of pounds have been raised for Manchester’s hospice devoted to children. 

Over the years the show has featured performers such as the Krankies, actress Catherine Tyldesley, the late Norman Collier, the Grumbleweeds, the Ivy League and other renowned artists.

This year’s edition is scheduled for Thursday 31 March and appearing alongside legendary 60s band The Merseybeats will be the much-loved and locally based comedian Jimmy Cricket. Completing the line-up will be the duo Kimika and the singer Jonathan Swift.

Co-producer Dale Mulgrew said:  “We are thrilled the interest in this show continues to grow, ensuring most of the tickets for our next one in March have already been sold.

“A lot of this is down to those who have been to one of our previous shows and who have really had a great time and so often we get asked when the next one is.

“But we still have seats left for this year’s version and we would like to fill them. So if you are looking for a great night out while at the same time helping to raise much-needed funds for one of Manchester’s worthiest causes, grab your ticket for Stars 6 before they all go!”

David Ireland, chief executive of Francis House, said: “The Stars come out for Francis House is a great evening not to be missed. Now 70, Jimmy’s enthusiasm and support for the children and families of Francis House remains as strong as ever. We’re hoping for a full house and would like to thank everyone involved.”

Kevin Shaw, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Oldham Coliseum Theatre, commented: “Stars Come Out is always a wonderful show and the Coliseum is proud to host it each year. It is a tribute to the organisers and the great cause that they raise money for that this sixth edition of the event has already sold so well.”

Tickets for the show are priced at £18 and £15 and are available from the theatre box office on  0161 624 2829 or online at www.coliseum.org.uk 

The stars to come out (again) for Francis House 150 150 mhamer

The stars to come out (again) for Francis House

The poster for Stars Come Out for Francis House 6Jimmy Cricket will be back at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre next year to help raise more money for charity.

Due to popular demand, an annual fundraiser in aid of the Francis House Children’s Hospice will once more provide a dazzling array of entertainment for one night only.

Stars Come Out For Francis House 6 on 31 March will again feature the iconic 60s band The Merseybeats, who will rekindle past memories through their hits I Think Of You, Wishin’ & Hopin’, Sorrow and Don’t Turn Around.

Alongside them will be local favourite and famous comedian Jimmy, who continues a long association with the show and will provide a welcome dose of his much-famed daft humour.

Also on the line-up will be husband and wife duo Kimika, who have developed a huge reputation on the UK cruising and holiday circuit. Frank
Sinatra impersonator Jonathan Swift will drop by to offer a bit of crooning.

The show will be hosted again by compere Jim Nicholas.

Join the stars once more as they come out for Francis House and enjoy a
splendid show you won’t find anywhere on television, while raising plenty of money for a very worthy cause.