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variety

‘It was wonderful working in this great variety show’ 150 150 mhamer

‘It was wonderful working in this great variety show’

It was wonderful working in this great variety show last night @GCHalls with show host Sean McDonald, compere (my son) @FatherFrankie & Fr Ray Kelly, with @LadyM_McManus and St Roch’s Ceili Band, alongside Harrison’s School of Irish Dance, & Maureen O’Kelly & Carfin Choristers

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with his youngest son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew, for a special St Patrick’s variety concert in Scotland.

The show took place at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Monday (11 March).

Also among the entertainers was singing priest Fr Ray Kelly, who reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2018.

Fr Frankie, a comedian like his dad, was the compere for the evening.

Glasgow’s own St Roch’s Ceili Band & Harrison School of Irish Dance, plus a surprise guest vocalist, also performed.

The show took place at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Jimmy said afterwards: “It was wonderful working in this great variety show @GCHalls with show host Sean McDonald, compere (my son) @FatherFrankie & Fr Ray Kelly, with @LadyM_McManus and St Roch’s Ceili Band, alongside Harrison’s School of Irish Dance, & Maureen O’Kelly & Carfin Choristers.”

Buy Jimmy’s autobiography!

Don’t forget that Jimmy’s official autobiography is on sale.

Jimmy Cricket with his autobiography

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of Jimmy’s illustrious life and 50-year career.

The paperback version costs £11.99 at online retailer Amazon. It is also available via eBook and audio.

Signed copies (£15.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

It is also available at Jimmy’s live gigs for £10, where Jimmy will also sign it.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Also read: Jimmy Cricket’s signed autobiographies now available by post!

‘Unmissable afternoon of top-class variety theatre’ in Coventry 150 150 mhamer

‘Unmissable afternoon of top-class variety theatre’ in Coventry

'Unmissable afternoon of top-class variety theatre' in Coventry with JImmy Cricket the headline act

Jimmy Cricket is headlining a “heart-warming afternoon of comedy, songs, music and fun” in the West Midlands next month.

The famous funnyman appears on the Belgrade Theatre Main Stage in Coventry on Thursday 29 February (1.30pm start).

Musical host Andy Eastwood, a good friend of Jimmy’s, is the ‘merry musical host’ for what is billed by promoters as Jimmy Cricket’s Big Show.

Jimmy is described on the poster advertising the show as a “legend of laughter”.

The venue’s website says: “Jimmy’s amazing career in comedy includes his own TV and radio series, Royal Command Performances and even a Papal Knighthood, awarded for his services to charity.

“He is delighted to be headlining this special show at the Midlands’ home of variety, the Belgrade Theatre.

‘Flawless tribute’

“Joining Jimmy will be our regular Midday Variety host Andy Eastwood, with his dazzling array of instruments and, from Scotland, another virtuoso musician, the remarkable, multi-talented Gordon Cree.

“The stunning mezzo-soprano voice of Cheryl Forbes will bring us favourite songs from stage and screen and completing the all-star line-up is the sensational Kearra Bethany, with her flawless tribute to the legendary Barbra Streisand.

“Why not take advantage of our group rates and bring a party to enjoy this unmissable afternoon of top-class variety theatre?”

Book here for the performance

Also read from this website: Coventry show will be ‘wonderful afternoon of feel-good entertainment’

Buy Jimmy’s autobiography!Jimmy Cricket with his autobiography

Don’t forget that Jimmy’s official autobiography is on sale.

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of Jimmy’s illustrious life and 50-year career.

The paperback costs £11.99 and can be bought at online retailer Amazon here. It is also available via eBook and audio.

Signed copies (£15.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

It is also available at Jimmy’s live gigs for £10 where Jimmy will also sign it.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Also read: Jimmy Cricket’s signed autobiographies now available by post!

 

Season eight scheduled at popular Blackpool hotel 150 150 mhamer

Season eight scheduled at popular Blackpool hotel

Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

Jimmy Cricket is looking forward to yet another season at a Blackpool hotel, which he has dubbed as his “second home”!

Jimmy started his seventh season at the Lyndene Hotel back in early July – read about his 2022 return here.

And he has now lined up his eighth year of appearances at the popular promenade venue.

Been touring more this year, but it’s wonderful to be back at the Lyndene Hotel (the 1st Wednesday of every month, now till December 2022), here with Tom the compère/singer/musician and Colin on keyboards!

His last two appearances for this year are on Wednesdays 2 November and 7 December.
And then Jimmy is back at the Lyndene for the first time in 2023 on Wednesday 5 July.
Additionally, he will be performing there on 2 August, 6 September, 4 October, 1 November and 6 December.
Paul Swift, general manager at the Lyndene, told Jimmy: “We love nothing more than getting to split our sides laughing on the first Wednesday of every month watching your show when you come to visit.

“Jimmy isn’t just one of our incredible acts, he’s family and takes the time to speak to all of our team and check how they each are when he comes to visit.

“Thank you for being you Mr Cricket!

“We look forward to your visits and always love watching your fantastic act!”

Jimmy commented: “May and I enjoy working at the Lyndene (our second home).
“Always great to chat to Courtney and Branden, lots of love to you and Claire and everyone at #TeamLyndene!”

The hotel’s website says: “Located on Blackpool’s glorious seafront, the Lyndene Hotel is the No 1 choice for hotels with entertainment in Britain’s favourite holiday destination.

“Situated amongst family attractions, glittering show venues, great shopping and Blackpool’s jewel, the Blackpool Tower, our hotel is in the prime position for your holiday base.

“With sweeping views across the Irish Sea, with incomparable sunsets and people-watching, the Lyndene Hotel has all the amenities to make your stay perfect.”

Open 365 days a year

“Our entertainment keeps our guests returning to us again and again.

“We host up to four top cabaret and tributes acts each and every night of the year!”

The Lyndene appeared as Le Ponderosa in the second series of Peter Kay’s TV hit comedy Phoenix Nights.

See all Jimmy’s booked shows here.

Also read: ‘Jimmy set for a seventh season at the Lyndene

Blackpool illuminations switch-on heralds Jimmy’s return

Golden Memories: Performing in front of Princess Diana 150 150 mhamer

Golden Memories: Performing in front of Princess Diana

As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years, all have given me a warm glow, none more than this one when I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King!

Jimmy Cricket has worked with many great fellow entertainers in 50 years of showbusiness.

The lovable Northern Irish comedian has also performed in front of some very famous people.

Jimmy, now 74, has been reminiscing on social media about taking part in the Royal Variety Performance in 1984.

The show took place on 19 November at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London.

Royal guests were the Queen Mother, Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

Also among the performers were singer/actor Paul Nicholas and comedians Bernie Winters and Billy Dainty.

The Royal Variety Performance is a televised variety show held annually.

It raises money for the Royal Variety Charity, of which Queen Elizabeth II is life patron.

Senior members of the British Royal Family attend the event.

The evening’s performance is presented as a live variety show, usually from a theatre in London.

‘Warm glow’

It consists of family entertainment, including comedy, music, dance, magic and other specialty acts.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Jimmy is unable to do live shows at venues.

However, he has been telling jokes via video on his social media accounts, including Facebook.

Additionally, he has been dipping into the archives and posted the images above and below on social media.

He added: “As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years.

“All have given me a warm glow. None more than this one.

“I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King! ????”

Golden memories: The Osmonds

If you have any special memories of celebrities with whom Jimmy has performed or would simply like him to feature somebody in our series, you can:

As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years, all have given me a warm glow, none more than this one when I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King!

Memorable variety shows in Dudley and Mansfield 150 150 mhamer

Memorable variety shows in Dudley and Mansfield

A wonderful full house afternoon @DudleyBorough Halls with Mark Andrews Productions. Paul was on keyboards and Graham was on drums alongside the fabulous harmonica instrumentalist Johnny Stafford and with the great voice of Linda Watts!

Jimmy Cricket helped to bring back the good old days of variety recently.

The popular Northern Irish comedian guest starred at Dudley Town Hall in the West Midlands on Tuesday (12 March) and at Mansfield Palace Theatre in Nottingham the following day.

Mark Andrews Music Hall was the production company behind the two The Good Old Days of Variety shows.

Jimmy told his thousands of social media fans after the first performance (photo above): “A wonderful full house afternoon Halls with Mark Andrews Productions. Paul was on keyboards and Graham was on drums alongside the fabulous harmonica instrumentalist Johnny Stafford and with the great voice of Linda Watts! ?

And he posted after the second show (photo below): “Another fantastic afternoon at the Palace Theatre Mansfield for Mark Andrews Productions starring Mark, with Paul on keyboards and Graham on drums with the Houghton Weavers, (Tony, Jimmy, Dave, Steve), alongside

Another fantastic afternoon at the Palace Theatre Mansfield for Mark Andrews Productions starring Mark, with Paul on keyboards and Graham on drums with the Houghton Weavers, (Tony, Jimmy, Dave, Steve), alongside @AndyEastwoodUK

Birmingham show is in aid of Molly Olly’s Wishes 150 150 mhamer

Birmingham show is in aid of Molly Olly’s Wishes

Jimmy Cricket will appear in a variety show in aid of "Molly Olly's Wishes”Jimmy Cricket is appearing in a show in Birmingham later this month in aid of a children’s charity.

A Variety Performance will take place on Sunday 29 April (7.15pm start) at the New Alexandra Theatre and  also features West End & TV star Gary Wilmot in addition to a host of other acts.

The charity gala will raise funds for Molly Olly’s Wishes, which supports families of children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses.

For more information and to book tickets, visit here.

‘Amazing audience’ for Royal Hippodrome show 150 150 mhamer

‘Amazing audience’ for Royal Hippodrome show

The British Music Hall Society organised the showThe Royal Hippodrome Theatre in EastbourneJimmy Jimmy Cricket starred in the morning showCricket appeared with a host of fellow entertainers in a show called Day By The Sea at the weekend.

The famous Irish funnyman appeared at the one-day event of comedy, music and song at the Royal Hippodrome theatre in Eastbourne.

Also on the bill was Jimmy’s big pal Don Maclean, an English actor and comedian who appeared on the BBC television series Crackerjack with Michael Aspel, Peter Glaze and Jan Hunt in the 1970s.

Sue Devaney, known for television roles in Coronation Street, Jonny Briggs, Casualty and Dinnerladies as well as being a regular stage performer, and English pop singer, jazz singer and actress Helen Shapiro were also among the entertainers.

The event, which took place last Saturday, was organised by the British Music Hall Society.

Jimmy, 71, said: “Great morning spent with old friends! I was on at 10.50am and the audience was amazing, really ready for a variety show at that time of the morning!”