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73rd British Ring IBM Convention
23rd - 27th September 2009, Southport
Update 9, June 2009
Bob Hayden, British Ring PRO
The Ali Bongo Micro Magic Marathon. At the Eastbourne 2008 Convention
Ali Bongo introduced the idea of a Micro Magic Marathon into the programme. The
event proved to be an enormous success. The event will take place again at
Southport and will carry the name ‘The Ali Bongo Micro Magic Marathon’ in his
honour. It is to take place on Thursday September 24th between 7.30pm and
8.30pm. The number that can compete will be limited to between 15 and 20
depending on the size of the room where it will be held. If you are interested
in performing in this great fun event contact the co-ordinator Viv Davies
(Mysteeny) either by post at 37, Orchard Park, St Mellons, Cardiff CF3 0AQ, by
telephone 029 2079 2789 or by E.mail mysteeny@btinternet.com with your details.
The unanimous view of last year’s competitors was that it was just as enjoyable
for them as it was for their audiences. So to all of you table hoppers who will
be at Southport why not contact Viv straight away.
Over the past two decades Mark Shortland has regularly attended British Ring
Convention and his name will always be associated with the scooping of the Tom
Harris Cup for Comedy (he did it four times) in the British Shield competition
and in 2001 winning the Shield itself. This was also the year he was rewarded
with The Ken Dodd Award for the Best New Comedy Act. Mark’s successes in
competitions are not confined to his stage appearances. In 2002 he won top prize
in the Rings Close-up competition, the Zina Bennett Cup. He will be at Southport
in September not as a contestant but with an act that will have all the
Shortland mix of prestidigitation, visual gags and audience participation.
What makes Mark so successful? Without doubt it comes from his greatest asset of
having a warm infectious personality that immediately engages him with an
audience. This when coupled with his ability to produce an individual style of
magic and a unique brand of original comedy keeps an audience literally on the
edge of their seats.
How did it all start for this comedy magician who grew up in Northampton? As a
schoolboy he always had a passion for magic but it was firmly ignited when he
saw The Amazing Jonathon perform on British TV in 1992. Although he left college
in St Albans with a design degree it was as a canoe instructor that he found
employment. But he did not abandon his love of magic and continued to increase
and perfect his magical skills by performing for the captive audience where he
worked. Eventually this led him to entertain at local schools and parties and by
2001 he convinced himself it was time to ditch his occupation as an instructor
and pursue a full time career in entertainment.
Mark now performs locally, nationally and internationally from The Orleans
Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas to The World Economic Forum Davos; the Magic
Castle in Hollywood to the Grand Opera House in Blackpool. He also works for
some of the top cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, P & O and The
Yachts of Seabourn. Mark has perfected his magical repertoire to meet any
requirement. He performs ‘wonders’ in spectator’s hands during reception drinks,
unbelievable prestidigitation at the dinner table and hilarious magic after the
meal as a stand-up cabaret.
When Jonathon Shotton takes to the stage at Southport he does so as the current
holder of the British Ring Shield. Not only did his act win the Shield he was
also awarded the Conventioneer’s Trophy for originality. The genesis of the act
originated in Jonathon’s mind as it might be performed by Willy Wonka but
substituting clocks of varying shapes and sizes for sweets. The idea benefited
in its development when Jonathon won a prestigious scholarship to the Jeff Mc
bride Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas for it was there that both his
technical and presentation skills were improved, polished and perfected.
Jonathon’s success in the world of magic in such a short period has been nothing
less than phenomenal. Magic became a fascination for him when as a 12 year old
he watched a performance by his uncle which inspired him to find his way to
Davenport’s where after one visit he became immediately hooked. Even the
earliest of his routines showed he had a superb aptitude for performing magic
that not only had style but sophistication. As soon as he began performing his
‘signature act’ with doves being effortlessly produced, fire manipulated and
objects being floated in thin air he was recognized by his peers as a star of
the future. So high was the opinion of his work by experienced magicians
throughout the country that he was soon being booked to perform at their local
functions. More importantly he came to the attention of the organisers of the
annual national Convention of the Society of American Magicians. He was
requested to travel over to the United States and perform which he did to
receive great notices. In 2005 he was one of the five international artistes to
appear in The Centenary Magic Circle Christmas Show and was afterwards elected
an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star, the youngest magician
ever, at that moment in time, to achieve this.
It is Jonathon’s warm and friendly approach and his likeable personality that
has helped him to become known and remembered. But what he is dedicated to and
what he strives for most of all is perfection in every aspect of his act both of
these qualities being abundantly clear to see in any of his performances. If a
list is prepared of all current British young magicians to show that Britain has
Innovative Magic Talent, the name of Jonathon Shotton would head the list.
Watching Jonathon perform should be an inspiration to all fledgling magicians to
take their performances to a higher level.
These are just two of the star acts you can see at the British Ring Convention
in Southport September 23rd to 27th where you can enjoy four full days of magic
with something for everyone whatever your particular taste happens to be.
Bob Hayden, British Ring PRO, June 2009. www.britishring.org.uk