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west cliff theatre

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz! 150 150 mhamer

From bingo caller to 50 Golden Years in showbiz!

Jimmy Cricket is celebrating 50 years in showbiz

Jimmy Cricket has enjoyed a golden career in showbiz – but before that, the comedian was a labourer, waiter, salesman and bingo caller!

The famous funnyman talks about his 50-year career as a high-profile entertainer in his latest newspaper column.

He says that before he became a professional comedian, he worked in the holiday camps as a Redcoat (Butlins) and Bluecoat (Pontins).

However, from each September, Jimmy says he had to have a day job for the winter.

His wife May agreed to give up her singing career so Jimmy could rehearse.

And his showbiz career started to take off when he signed with a top agent.

He also recalls in his Lancashire Post column the problems he encountered for his first gigs.

These included not having his own transport to get to venues!

Jimmy is doing what he describes as a “little five theatres tour” in March as part of the celebrations for his golden anniversary.

They are venues where he has done one-nighters & summer seasons in the past.

Here are those March dates:

Middlesbrough Theatre (Saturday 4 March) go here for tickets.

Bridlington Spa Theatre (Sunday 12 March) – go here for tickets.

West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea (Sunday 19 March) – go here for tickets.

Lancaster Grand Theatre (Saturday 25 March) – go here for tickets. 

Plaza Theatre, Stockport (Sunday 26 March) – go here for tickets.

Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for 50 years – and usually raising money for worthy causes at the same time.

Instantly recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  which makes him a perfect family entertainer.

His best-known catchphrases include ‘And there’s more!’ and ‘Come closer!’

He is also famed for reading out Letters from his Mammy, which have provided the material for two published books.

Read more about Jimmy’s life and career here.

All his tour bookings and other events can be found here.

Jimmy Cricket has been in showbusiness for 50 years

50 Golden Years tour returns with Suffolk show 150 150 mhamer

50 Golden Years tour returns with Suffolk show

Jimmy Cricket has been in showbusiness for 50 years

Jimmy Cricket is relishing his first show of 2023 as he resumes his 50 Golden Years tour.

The performance at Haverhill Arts Centre in Suffolk on Friday (27 January) is the first of many in the coming months as the evergreen Northern Irish comic celebrates his amazing milestone.

It is his first gig since 10 December when he eased off for the Christmas and New Year break.

Jimmy posted on social media: “A big thank-you to everyone who’s already bought a ticket for my ’50th Anniversary’ show @HaverhillArts  High Street, Suffolk, CB9 8AR for next Friday 27th January.

“I’m thrilled beyond words and I look forward to seeing you all on the night.”

The famous funnyman will again be travelling the length and breadth of the country to entertain audiences with his unique brand of clean comedy.

His destinations during the next few months also include Bridlington, Clacton-on-Sea and Stockport.

Here are some of his forthcoming dates:

Haverhill Arts Centre in Suffolk (Friday 27 January) – go here for tickets.

Middlesbrough Theatre (Saturday 4 March) go here for tickets.

Bridlington Spa Theatre (Sunday 12 March) – go here for tickets.

West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea (Sunday 19 March) – go here for tickets.

Lancaster Grand Theatre (Saturday 25 March) – go here for tickets. 

Plaza Theatre, Stockport (Sunday 26 March) – go here for tickets.

Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne (Saturday 1 April) – go here for tickets.

Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for 50 years – and usually raising money for worthy causes at the same time.

Instantly recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  which makes him a perfect family entertainer.

His best-known catchphrases include ‘And there’s more!’ and ‘Come closer!’

He is also famed for reading out Letters from his Mammy, which have provided the material for two published books.

Read more about Jimmy’s life and career here.

All his tour bookings and other events can be found here.

More shows to mark 50 years as an entertainer 150 150 mhamer

More shows to mark 50 years as an entertainer

Jimmy Cricket has been in showbusiness for 50 years

Jimmy Cricket is celebrating 50 Golden Years in showbusiness with more tour dates in 2023.

The famous funnyman will again be travelling the length and breadth of the country to entertain audiences with his unique brand of clean comedy.

His destinations during the next few months include Middlesbrough, Lancaster and Eastbourne.

Here are some of his forthcoming dates:

Haverhill Arts Centre in Suffolk (Friday 27 January) – go here for tickets.

Middlesbrough Theatre (Saturday 4 March) go here for tickets.

Bridlington Spa Theatre (Sunday 12 March) – go here for tickets.

West Cliff Theatre (Sunday 19 March) – go here for tickets.

Lancaster Grand Theatre (Saturday 25 March) – go here for tickets. 

Plaza Theatre, Stockport (Sunday 26 March) – go here for tickets.

Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne (Saturday 1 April) – go here for tickets.

Jimmy has been making people laugh as a professional comedian for 50 years – and usually raising money for worthy causes at the same time.

Instantly recognisable for wearing a funny hat and green wellies marked L and R on the wrong feet, he proudly keeps his comedy clean – increasingly rare these days –  which makes him a perfect family entertainer.

His best-known catchphrases include ‘And there’s more!’ and ‘Come closer!’

He is also famed for reading out Letters from his Mammy, which have provided the material for two published books.

Read more about Jimmy’s life and career here.

All his tour bookings and other events can be found here.

 

Don Maclean: Good things like my old pal are timeless 150 150 mhamer

Don Maclean: Good things like my old pal are timeless

Don Maclean made his latest appearnace at the West Cliff Theatre in August

Jimmy Cricket has paid tribute to his fellow funnyman and great friend Don Maclean who is still going strong at the age of 75.

Don is an English actor and comedian who appeared on the BBC television series Crackerjack with the likes of Michael Aspel in the 1970s.

He has appeared regularly at the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea over the years and headlined the summer show there last month.

Jimmy, 73, said: “While a Butlin Redcoat in Clacton in 1967, I went to the West Cliff Theatre to see the summer show. The star comedian was Don Maclean.

“In 2019 the Westcliff is still going strong and guess who the star comedian of their summer show is?.. Don Maclean. Good things are timeless.”

The Clacton and Frinton gazette said on 9 August: “Clacton’s West Cliff Theatre Summer Show has got off to a flying start in its 125th anniversary year.

Golden age of variety

“The theatre’s summer variety is the longest running continuous show in the country and this year the West Cliff pulled out all the stops to celebrate the anniversary, including pulling in variety star Don Maclean to headline.

“The comic, who shot to fame in the BBC’s Crackerjack in the 1970s, was clearly at home on the West Cliff stage, where he first topped the bill in 1967.

“His quick wit and humour are reminiscent of a golden age of variety, but his routines are still laugh out loud funny for all ages.

“Don has been a regular visitor to the West Cliff and he also went down a storm in the fabulous one-off 125 Show celebration earlier this year.”

Don had travelled up for the service from his home in Solihull when Jimmy was invested as a Knight of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great several years ago.

The service took place at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Rochdale in 2016. Don is himself a papal knight.

Story from the archives: Jimmy Cricket is appointed a papal knight

Catching up with old friends in Clacton-on-Sea show 150 150 mhamer

Catching up with old friends in Clacton-on-Sea show

Jimmy Cricket teamed up again with some old pals at an Essex seaside resort this weekend.

The Northern Irish comedian performed at the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea, on Saturday (6 July).

Among those he was seeing again included his former Pantomime co-star, Danny Lee Grew – both were in Dick Whittington at the Gracie Fields Theatre in Rochdale during the 2017-18 pantomime season.

Famous entertainer Jimmy, 73, had known Danny’s mum through performing several times over the years at the West Cliff Theatre.

He posted on social media: “Had a great evening @wctclacton with magician @dannygrew and the Debbie Millar School of Dance while catching up with old friends, my thanks goes to stage manager Dee, Keith on lights, Dave on sound, Vicky on spotlight, Josh, alongside all the great volunteers and @normanjac ????.”

 

Jimmy Cricket’s comedy double header in July 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket’s comedy double header in July

Jimmy Cricket will be performing a double header weekend early next month.

Comedy legend Jimmy Cricket returns to the Princess Theatre with his live show that is choc full of one liners, visual comedy, and a brand new letter from his Mammy!The Northern Irish comedian will be at the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-sea, on Saturday 6 July.

Tickets for the show can be found here.

And Jimmy, 73, will be returning to the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton, Norfolk, the following day.

Book your tickets here.

 

Jimmy Cricket will be performing a double header weekend early next month
Reunion with panto co-star in Clacton-on-Sea 150 150 mhamer

Reunion with panto co-star in Clacton-on-Sea

This July, I will be reunited with legend @jimmy__cricket since we performed in pantomime together a couple of years ago @wctclacton

Jimmy Cricket will be teaming up again this summer with one of his former Pantomime co-stars.

The famous Northern Irish entertainer performed alongside Danny Lee Grew in Dick Whittington at the Gracie Fields Theatre in Rochdale during the 2017-18 pantomime season.

The panto also featured The Chase’s Mark Labbett (also known as The Beast).


Tickets for the show in July can be found here.