I.B.M. British Ring 52nd Annual Convention

The 52nd Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 27th September – 2nd October 1988 at the Dome Theatre, Brighton, with further events at the Old Ship Hotel, the Corn Exchange, the Kingswest Top Rank Suite, the Royal Pavilion Gardens and the Sallis Benney Theatre. The week brings together international performers for Star Lectures, the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, Hospital and Special Venue Shows, the Ladies' Afternoon, the Convention Banquet, More Pleasures of Yesteryear, The History of Mystery, Children's Showtime, the Grand After Banquet Gala and International Magic.

President Robert Sinclair and his wife Gretta look forward to welcoming Conventioneers to Brighton for the 52nd Annual Convention — the 'Pack of Cards' Convention, marking, as the President notes, the completion of the sequence from Jacks, Queens and Kings with an Ace welcome to all overseas guests — in the presence of Her Worship The Mayor of the Borough of Brighton, Councillor Ms Patricia Hawkes, and the International President of the I.B.M., Edward A. Morris, attending with his wife Betty. The week opens on Tuesday evening with The Gathering of the Clans at the Old Ship Hotel, a convivial get-together for old friends and new, with a section devoted to Close-Up for those wanting an early taste of magic, and registrations for postal applications distributed on the night. Wednesday brings the Dealers' Demonstrations at the Dome Theatre, arranged by Tony Shelley, after which Conventioneers may visit the Corn Exchange to view the Magical Offerings on sale as the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair opens for the week, assisted by Ray Mills, Paul MacCleavy and Ross Quinn, with the Craig Trophy to be awarded to the Dealer presenting the most attractive display. At midday, Howard Peters invites Conventioneers to witness 'The Transylvania Terror' in the Royal Pavilion Gardens — be there if you dare! — with smelling salts and commentary supplied by Terry Herbert, alongside the Eddie Dexter Welfare Stand run by Cynthia Neptune and helpers. The President officially opens the 1988 Convention at the Dome Theatre at 14.30, followed immediately by 'Brighton Rock' (Magic all through), introduced by Ali Bongo, with Jon Brett with Joy & Jack Purvis, Warren Stephens, The Astrals, Al Cohen and Tia Wei Sou & Tien, at the organ Keith Hurford and at the drums Bernard McGovern. The first Star Lecture follows at 16.35, in which Peter Scarlett introduces Edernac, direct from Paris, with 'A Symphony in Rope'. Overseas Visitors are requested to meet Mr Barry Laymond at the entrance to the Kingswest Top Rank Suite at 19.30, prior to the Civic Reception Ball & Cabaret, given by kind invitation of the Mayor, with dancing to Ronnie Keen & His Music and a cabaret in which Terry Herbert introduces Shaun Yee and Raffles & Dallas, with flagbearers from the pupils of The Shandy Stage School and the Tombola Stand run by Helene Strachan and helpers in aid of the Benevolent Fund. Thursday brings further Dealers' Demonstrations, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, arranged by Mike Gancia with Tony Shelley as Chairman of the Judges and Doug Jones as Timekeeper, a Star Lecture in which Ted Whebell introduces Paul Diamond (U.S.A.), the Ladies' Afternoon at the Old Ship Hotel with a talk by Mr Ken Belton of Clay Nursery on 'Growing Fuchsias and Geraniums for Pleasure', and Hospital and Special Venue Shows organised by Les Nottle, taking magic out to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children, Hamilton Lodge Residential School for Deaf Children, St John's Residential School, a Special Home for retarded Adults and Children, Craven House and Holingdale, with Smokey and his Clown Band visiting some of the venues. Thursday evening brings the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield at the Dome Theatre, organised by John Palfreyman with Tommy Rowe as Chairman of the Judges, Debbie Daniels, David Berglas, Jack Mayes, Hank Moorehouse (U.S.A.) and William Burnett M.I.P.R. completing the panel, Ron Langhorn as Stage Manager and seventeen competitors performing for the Shield, the Theo Speaker Cup, the Alastair Wand, the Conventioneers Trophy, the Craig Trophy (for the performance by a lady magician), the Tom Harris Cup and the Dittia Shield. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for 1988/89, followed by two Star Lectures introduced by Peter Scarlett — Shaun Yee (Italy) followed by Davide Costi (Italy), with Closed Circuit T.V. in operation — Eddie Dawes' 'More Pleasures of Yesteryear — A Nostalgic Glimpse of the Roaring Twenties', evoking magical memories of Okito, John Ramsay, Jack Ledair, Houdini, Oswald Rae, Cardini, Jarrow and Dante with a galaxy of artistes including Tensai, Roy Scott, David Budd & Rita, Howard Peters & Jane Keane, John Wade, Geoff Ray & Pat, Terry Seabrooke and Kovari, and Mike Gancia's International Close-Up Magic, with Paul Diamond, Warren Stephens, J.J., Davide Costi, Chris Powers and Rudy Coby amongst those performing, subject to commitments. The Convention Banquet at the Old Ship Hotel, with Toastmaster Paul Ducaine, brings toasts to The Queen (proposed by the President), The Borough of Brighton (proposed by Peter Warlock, response by the Mayor) and The British Ring (proposed by Edward Morris, International President I.B.M., response by the President, who also proposes the toast to The Ladies and Visitors, answered by Mrs Olive Fletcher), before The Harold Taylor Party Show for those not attending the Banquet, featuring Bob Heath, The Taylor Maids, Presh on Props and Harry Gold & His Pieces of Eight, the Presentation of Awards by the President, and the Grand After Banquet Gala, introduced by Peter Scarlett with Davide Costi, Peter Kersten (German Democratic Republic), Rex Taylor, Jay Marshall (U.S.A.) and The Mallinsons, alongside Harry Gold & His Pieces of Eight. Saturday brings a Star Lecture in which Peter Scarlett introduces Warren Stephens (U.S.A.), followed by David Berglas introducing a surprise celebrity, before the Dome Theatre closes for Gala rehearsals; Children's Showtime at the Sallis Benney Theatre, Brighton Polytechnic, presented by Jack Mayes & Richard Stupple and compered by Tony Rix, with Terry Burgess, David Tomkins with Cheeky Dog, The Magic of Stacey Lee, Brian Lawrence & His Magic Care Bears and The I.B.M. Clowns; Mike Gancia's Mini-Lecture in the Pavilion Theatre above the Corn Exchange, introduced by Jeffrey Atkins and repeated at 11.45; the Children's Forum, presented by Jack Mayes; 'An Hour with David Berglas', an open forum on presentation and production problems in magic and mentalism; and Eddie Dawes' 'The History of Mystery' Magic Collectors' Seminar, with Brian Lead on 'Laughing at Locksmiths: Enigma of Harry Houdini', Peter Warlock on 'Tibbles — Not a Cat Food' and Jay Marshall on 'Lefty's Boss Sez...'. Saturday night's International Magic plays two houses at the Dome Theatre at 18.00 and 21.00, the programme arranged and presented by Jeffery Atkins and Ali Bongo, with Ron Langhorn as Stage Manager, Peter Laing and Neil Roberts as Assistant Stage Managers and Barry Miller as Stage Director; Paul Diamond (U.S.A.) is Master of Ceremonies, with Leo Ward, Shaun Yee ('A Chinese Fantasy'), Pavlov's Puppets and Jacqueline, Eddy & Co (Holland, 'Around the World with Magic') in the first half, and 'Gili' (Belgium), Edernac (France, 'A Symphony in Rope'), Rudy Coby (U.S.A., 'It's All Most Unusual') and Pierre Brahma (France, 'Les Bijoux Magiques') after the interval; the taking of photographs and videos during the performance is strictly forbidden. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service, conducted by Ringer The Reverend Michael Seacome M.A., A.R.C.M., Official Chaplain to the British Ring, followed by the Installation of the new President, Ron Macmillan, arranged by Ted and Rene Whebell, after which a Cocktail Party precedes the President closing the Convention. Organising Secretary: Jeffery Atkins. Dealers' Exhibition & Demonstration: Tony Shelley. Hospital Shows: Les Nottle. Chief Welfare Officer: The Revd Michael Seacome.