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British Ring Convention update August 2011
Geoffrey Newton, British Ring PRO
STAGE COMPETITION
This annual event arranged by Shirley Ray sees Steve Evans return as compere
where 10 performers will compete for the top prize of £1,000 and the British
Ring Shield. (second prize, £500 third prize, £250 and other trophies may be
won) The event will be held on Saturday night 24th September at 8.00pm in the
Southport Theatre.
The order of appearance is: First half: Dave Andrews - London, Nick Barnes -
Congleton, Tim Shoesmith - Welwyn Garden City, Peter Stewart Fitchett (Jock
Mac’Jishun) - Grange over Sands and Mark Shortland – Northampton.
Second half: Jay Gatling (Elemental) - Gwynedd, Matthew Wright – Burnley, Ta na
manga (Inspirato) – Portugal, Mandy Fletcher (Ianthe) Glasgow, Mel Harvey –
Warwick.
The competition is organised by Shirley Ray assisted by Dave Cass and the stage
manager is Neil Roberts.
The Judging panel chaired by John Palfreyman consists of Brian Lead, Anthony
Darkstone Brook, Vanni Pulé (IBM President) Stuart Loughland (Safire) Jayne
Loughland (Safire) Don Beattie (Chief Steward) Keith Cooper (IBM British Ring
President)
The presentation of awards will take place directly after he competition
followed by the installation of Brian Miller to serve as President of The IBM
British Ring for 2011/2012.
CLOSE UP COMPETITION
Steve Evans has released the names of the competitors for the Close Up
Competition as follows: Rob James (Bristol), Marcus Taylor (Shrewsbury) Russell
Levinson (London), Michael Neto (Glasgow), Mel Harvey (Wellesbourne), Stephen
Ablett (Stockport) Mark Shortland (Northampton), Matthew Wright (Burnley), Alex
Hansford (Plymouth), Malcolm Bromwich (Hessle), Paul Ingram (Rhyl), Steve Dela
(Chislehurst). The first prize is the Zina Bennett Trophy and £1,000, second
prize £500 and third prize £250. The Rovi Trophy may also be awarded.
THE LADIES AFTERNOON
This has again been placed in the very capable organising hands of Julie
Llusion. For 2011 another excellent speaker has been sourced in the name of Pam
Bosworth from Grantham with “A History of Fashion and Millinery”. Pam has been
involved in the fashion business since the 1960’s when, during her teenage years
she began modelling for a variety of shops in the Midlands.
In the 1980’s a hat hire service was created having seen the demand for
millinery items required for one off special occasions. On the strength of this
success she branched out into fashion. Ladies had regularly complained to her
that expensive outfits they had bought for weddings, christenings etc would not
be worn again. Pam started her Premier Dress Agency to sell these
designer labels at half price.
This talk down memory lane with designs and fashions over the years should prove
an interesting afternoon and Pam’s motto is IF YOU LOOK GOOD, YOU’LL FEEL GOOD.
GOING TO SOUTHPORT?
Don’t forget your passport! Registration Officer John Palfreyman has arranged
for all conventioneers to receive the Southport Passport. This handy
little booklet contains an assortment of vouchers. Some restaurants are offering
a free glass of wine whilst others offer a free bottle! There also dining
vouchers for up to 25% off meals at some local establishments. A handy town
centre street map is also included in this worthwhile publication. The
convention is a very packed programme but if you have time for a short diversion
from magic you can have a buy one get one free game at Premier Bowl and Laser.
LECTURES
The following lecturers (with their subject titles) will appear at the
convention:
Mark James - Extravert
Mel Mellers - Making Magic Commercial
David Tomkins - New Children’s Magic
Shawn Farquhar - Bread and Butter
Joe M. Turner - Eyes and Mind
Michael Finney - Sharing Secrets from My Life in Magic
THE SHOWS
The Opening Show on Thursday morning (22nd September) features Pat
Fallon, Mark James, Mandy Fletcher (who was a great success at the President’s
dinner earlier this year), and illusionist Chris De Rosa completes the bill to
open up the days of great magic.
The Ali Bongo Magic Marathon will be there on the Thursday evening and
afterwards it’s
Cabaret Night with Vittoria Marino, Wez Zaharuk, Sonny Pennington and
Safire.
The Late Night Gala of Magic after the gala dinner features Michael Carr
(another success from the President’s dinner), the talents of Jordan Gomez, Mel
Mellers with his own special style, Mat Ricardo a juggler with something plus –
trust me I saw him at the NMC convention in Scarborough earlier this year, and
the well known skills of Amethyst.
The Children’s Show on Saturday morning 24th September is again produced
by Clive Moore and Jean Ellison (Clivo and Jeani) and features Paul Joyce, David
Tomkins Safire with both illusions and black light puppets. Topping the bill is
everyone’s favourite Sooty with Richard Cadell.
The International Gala of Magic and Variety on Sunday night 25th
September is being compered by Aonghus McAnally (Ireland) who will introduce
Michael Finney (USA) Guy Barrett and Company (UK) Jeton the Gentleman Juggler
(Germany) Shawn Farquhar (Canada) who fooled Penn and Teller on their UK TV show
recently. Romany (UK) also from the Penn and Teller show, Rafael (Belgium) and
Jason Andrews (USA)
THE REGULAR EVENTS
More History of Mystery presented by Eddie Dawes (photo) this year
features Brian Lead The Tragic deaths of Lafayette. David Hibbard A Glimpse of
the David Devant Collection of Photographs from The Magic Circle Archive. Jon
Marshall Secrets of the Sideshows
Special Venue Shows are again being arranged by Peter Greenwood (photo)
at various locations throughout the town.
Nostalgia is being presented by Bob Hamilton on the Friday evening for
those not attending the Gala Dinner. This year he features items from his
recordings of the conventions from 1986 to 1991.
Jim Boyd has again arranged the dealers’ magical trade fair and they are
all listed in the convention brochure. On the Friday morning Alec Powell
introduces the Dealers’ Showcase where they all will have the opportunity to
present their wares in a 5 minute slot each.
The International Close Up Magic will be introduced by Anthony Darkstone
Brook and features Shawn Farquhar (Canada), Joe M. Turner, (USA) Mark James (UK)
and Shaun McCree (UK)
The Great Debate which you will have been able to follow in the Budget is
brought to the stage by Viv Davies (Mysteeny) and has a panel representing four
counties. Pat Fallon (Ireland) Mel Harvey (England) Paul Anthony (Wales) and
Margaret MacLean (Scotland) Questions may be left at the registration desk.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Help Make A Child Smile
on
The Anthony Darkstone, In Conversation Talk Show
Some children don’t smile because are too embarrassed; they have cleft palates.
Operation Smile enables children from all over the world who were born with
cleft palates to have the surgery at no cost.
On The Anthony Darkstone In Conversation Talk Show at this year’s IBM British
Ring Convention, Michael Finney, Shawn Farquhar, Joe M. Turner & Jason Andrews
(photos in this order below) will be signing two decks of Bicycles each. Every
card in each one of their decks will be signed by these four Super Stars of
Magic.
Attendees will have the opportunity to win one of these decks. The rules are
very simple. At The Registration/Welcome desk there will be a large box. Simply
put your business card together with a UK banknote into a standard envelope &
drop it into the box.
At the end of the show, each guest will draw two names that will win a deck
each. The money collected will be presented on stage to Michael Finney by IBM
Ring 25 President Keith Cooper. Michael Finney is the Founder & Board President
of The Michael Finney Foundation. The Foundation was established in 1997 and its
primary purpose is to raise money for Children’s Charities. These funds will go
to the Children’s Charity - Operation Smile.
Apart from the signed decks from the above named guests on the show, there will
be two more decks of Bicycles signed by George Schindler – past National
President and currently, The Dean of The Society of American Magicians. Also
kindly donated by The Dean will be two of the highly sought after DVDs of
“Entertainment First” as prizes.
That’s 12 prizes in total on the show. Each one a collectors’ item.
Attendees may place as many envelopes into the box as they wish. There is no
limit. No restrictions. Except one! Envelopes that don’t contain a UK banknote
will be disqualified.
Smile – You could be a winner, in every sense of the word. That’s real Magic!
THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF MAGICIANS
BRITISH RING NO. 25
75TH CONVENTION 22ND – 25TH SEPTEMBER 2011 SOUTHPORT
Details on
www.magicconvention.co.uk
or telephone Registration Officer JOHN PALFREYMAN 01743 792090
Geoffrey Newton, Public Relations Officer, pro@britishring.org.uk