Aptly entitled ‘ You Must Be Joking,’ four of Northern Ireland’s most experienced comedians took to the stage and offered up a non-stop series of gags, impersonations and light-hearted songs that easily curried the audience’s favor. Linehan invented the name and the character by ad libbing — the first name being that of his mother-in-law and the surname being that of an Antrim hurler by the name of Olcan McFettridge, whose exploits in a National Hurling League game had made headlines in a local newspaper, which happened to be beside Linehan when put on the spot.

His 'good friend' Eisenstein thought it would be hilarious to abandon him here after partying the night before, leaving him a long walk of shame. Since making her pantomime debut in Robinson Crusoe in 1989 alongside comedian Jimmy Cricket, May has appeared with a galaxy of stars including Su Pollard, Linda Nolan, Britt Ekland, Lisa Riley and Zippy, George and Bungle. The set and costumes are a feast for the eyes and one of the biggest challenges for the panto dame is fitting in – and out – of the elaborate costumes. Following 30 years of performing pantomime, May’s operatic debut is as the role of Frosch the Jailer in Die Fledermaus. This year she will be joined by star of stage and screen Ben Richards (Footballers’ Wives, Holby City, Hollyoaks, The Bodyguard) as well as comedy magician and Britain’s Got Talent favourite Mandy Muden and panto favourites Paddy Jenkins and Georgia Lennon.

Jimmy, 72, with his funny hat and his wellies on the wrong feet, will be reading his letter from his Mammy and getting up to his usual shenanigans. John Joseph Linehan, MBE (born 1952, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is an Irish entertainer, most known for his drag queen character May McFettridge. You can get drinks or food pre show but I would recommend going elsewhere in the city before attending. Not just me being out of work, but the people who'd booked for pantomime, the kids who'd been excited for it, even my own grandkids who love it every year - it was just a big let down for everybody. People should come along and enjoy themselves at Beauty and The Beast this Christmas because there is no show in town as spectacular for costumes, sets, special effects and singing – and who wouldn't want to miss seeing May McFettridge dancing?

Paddy Jenkins, as Mr Potts, Georgia Lennon, as Belle, Ben Richards, who will play the role of the Beast and May McFettridge, as Mrs Potts Picture Matt Mackey / Press Eye. It’s a great play, it’s a five-hander about the known and unknown by a woman who knows nothing in the first place. The show was part of lur Cinn Fleadh, an annual traditional Irish music and community festival in Newry City, County Down.The idea came about due to John’s free time at the beginning of the year, which was inadvertently caused by an expired passport.

Played by Belfast man John Linehan, the brash, quick-witted, heavily accented McFettridge has defined pantomimes in the city for over 30 years, so much so that she always receives a top billing on posters when the annual Christmas pantomime is announced. The popular entertainer was in his birth city of Belfast preparing to appear in the You Must Be Joking show at Newry Town Hall. After the bomb I could see her cheek bone sticking out and I could see the white of her skull in her forehead. I like to get the sun on my back, but the wife’s passport wasn’t up to date, so I was thinking of something to do.He is the resident host of the popular Pugs Comedy Club in Belfast and in early 2020 completed his first UK and Ireland tour with his second solo show DAD. The night before the performance, he went with John Linehan, aka May McFettridge, to look at the mural (above) on the Donegall Road. And he finished the piece with: “My favorite act of the evening was the last one, James Mulgrew, best known as Jimmy Cricket.

This was a very professional performance from start to finish with perfect casting of the main characters. But I'm not one for drinking in the house, only on Christmas Day, and even then I have two shows the day before Christmas Day and two on Boxing Day so there's no point in having a hangover. The three-week series of shows featuring Jimmy and three fellow Northern Ireland comedians ended at the Island Arts Centre on Lagan Valley Island in Lisburn. We have been before for the usual panto outing to the GOH but I have to say that this year surpassed all previous performances.

When asked about the turnaround between A Happy Medium wrapping, and the start of rehearsals for Snow White, John shared a notable admission. The Magnificent Seven, including father and son Andy and Kyle Herd, delight audiences with their quest to save Snow White from the Wicked Queen.