I.B.M. British Ring 54th Annual Convention

The 54th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 25th–30th September 1990 at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, with further events at the Floral Hall, the Gold Room, Devonshire Park Theatre, the Old Town Hall and the Lansdowne Hotel. 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, Children's Showtime, the Convention Banquet, International Close-Up, The Late Late Gala and International Magic — the Gala Show.

President Ken de Courcy looks forward to welcoming Conventioneers to the 54th Annual Convention, delighted that it should be held in Eastbourne, one of the Ring's favourite venues, after nearly two years' planning by the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Committee. Early registrations are at record levels, with visitors from abroad whom Ken and his wife Sue will be pleased to greet. His Worship The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Aubrey Vickers, recalls having known the Hon. Organising Secretary Jeffery Atkins since boyhood, when they were at school together, and it was through him that his own interest in magic was first aroused; the International President of the I.B.M., Michael Ellis, attending with his wife Betty Lou, is equally delighted to return, having first visited Eastbourne in 1986. The week opens on Tuesday evening in the Floral Hall with 'Meet Your Friends', where Rovi and friends entertain with close-up magic at the tables on request, and postal registrants may collect their badges from 21.00 hours. Wednesday brings the Dealers' Demonstration, in which Tony Shelley, assisted by Doug Jones, shows a sample of the items on sale in the Dealers' Hall, and the First Star Lecture, in which Peter Scarlett introduces 'Magic Hands' (Manfred Thumm) with 'Tips & Tricks You Should Not Miss'. At midday, The Amazing Mr Baily presents Zeta in a 'Dynamite Sensation — Russian Roulette with High Explosives' on the Wish Tower Slopes, introduced by Terry Herbert, before the President officially opens the 1990 Convention at the Congress Theatre and 'Ring Up The Curtain', introduced by Paul Diamond, brings Rich Bloch, 'Fluke', Henrique, Maxim and Steve Walker to the stage, with Keith Hurford at the organ and Bernard McGovern at the drums. Ted Whebell introduces The David Berglas Chat Show in the Gold Room during the afternoon, alongside the Eddie Dexter Welfare Stand run by Cynthia Neptune and her helpers, before Overseas Visitors are asked to meet Mr Barry Laymond at the entrance to the Winter Garden ahead of the Civic Reception Ball & Cabaret in the Floral Hall, given by the Mayor and Mayoress, with dancing to Sounds Easy and cabaret from Dennis & Brenda Howell's New Capitol Dancers (from BBC's 'Come Dancing') and Roger John & Company, flagbearers from the Sylvia Byford School of Dancing, and the Tombola Stand run by Helene Strachan and helpers in aid of the Benevolent Fund. The Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, arranged by Tony Shelley and assisted by Doug Jones, opens in the Exhibition Hall adjacent to the Winter Garden on Wednesday and runs through to Sunday lunchtime, with the Craig Trophy to be awarded to the Dealer presenting the most attractive display. Thursday brings the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, arranged by Janet Clare, with sixteen competitors judged by a panel chaired by Tony Shelley; Hospital and Special Venue Shows, organised by Les Nottle, taking magic to local schools, hospitals and care homes across Eastbourne on Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon, with the I.B.M. Clown Band in attendance; a Star Lecture in which Jeffery Atkins introduces Rich Bloch of Collectors' Workshop; and the Ladies' Afternoon in the Congress Restaurant, at which the British Ring Ladies' Committee present 'Cooking Made Easy With A Food Processor'. Thursday evening brings the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, organised by John Palfreyman, with Eddie Dawes chairing a panel including Michael Ellis, Dale Salwak, Valerie Roberts, Mary Stupple, Jon Marshall and Alan Kennaugh, judging twenty-four competitors 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 1990/91, followed by Star Lectures in which Terry Herbert introduces Anverdi from Holland and Janet Clare introduces Mike Caveney from California, Eddie Dawes' 'More Pleasures of Yesteryear — Forces in the Forties', recalling the decade when Armed Forces and Magical Forces provided both Garrison Theatre and Music Hall entertainment, sustained by Alan Shaxon & Anne, Will Ayling, Vanni Pulé and Mary Anne, Peter Greenwood, Brian Sefton, Mo Howarth, Mark Raffles, Harold Taylor and Emmerson & Jane, with music from Keith Hurford & Bernard McGovern, and the Children's Forum, organised and chaired by Richard Stupple with a panel of top children's entertainers. The Convention Banquet in the Gold Room, with Toastmaster John Pye, brings toasts to The Queen (proposed by the President), The Borough of Eastbourne (proposed by Peter Scarlett, response by the Mayor) and The British Ring (proposed by Michael Ellis, response by the President, who also proposes the toast to The Ladies and Visitors, answered by David Berglas, President of The Magic Circle), before a Disco presented by White Heat Sounds for those not attending the Banquet, and the Presentation of Awards by the President followed by The Late Late Gala, in which John Salisse introduces The Illusions of Bel Esprit, The Dexterity of Duncan Trillo, The Agile Fingers of Mark Raffles, The 'Proverbial Magic' of Lynn Thomas and The Incredible Speed of Bernard McGovern on his Xylophone. Saturday brings a Star Lecture in which Peter Scarlett introduces John Cornelius (U.S.A.); Children's Showtime at the Devonshire Park Theatre, presented by Jack Mayes and Richard Stupple, with compere Keith Fields introducing Jack Miller (U.S.A.), Smartie Artie, Peter Stedman, Quentin Reynolds and Gus Wilson & Co; a Reception for Overseas Visitors by the Mayor at the Old Town Hall, with delegates escorted by bus from the Floral Hall foyer; International Close-Up, in which Janet Clare introduces Rich Bloch, Mike Caveney and Paul Diamond (all U.S.A.), Mark Nathan Sicher (U.S.A.) and Jorg Weber (Germany); the Grand Auction of unsold goods and pre-used magical apparatus, books and memorabilia at the Welfare Stand; Eddie Dawes' 'The History of Mystery' Magic Collectors' Seminar, with contributions from Mike Caveney on P.T. Selbit, Patrick Lindley on J.N. Maskelyne and Nick Ruggiero on touring with Blackstone Senior; and a Star Lecture in which Richard Stupple introduces Paul Diamond (U.S.A.). Saturday night's International Magic plays two houses at the Congress Theatre, the programme arranged and presented by Jeffery Atkins and Ali Bongo, with Ron Langhorn as Stage Director, Peter Laing and Neil Roberts as Assistant Stage Managers, and John Wade as Master of Ceremonies, featuring Antoine (Italy), Mike Caveney (U.S.A.), Topas (Germany), Tina Lenert (U.S.A.) and Canche & Co (Mexico) in the first half, and Cyril Harvey (France), Peter Kersten (East Germany), Dale Salwak (U.S.A.) and Dinardi & Co with his Garden of Flowers after the interval; the taking of photographs and videos during the performance is strictly forbidden. Simon Lovell, Keith Fields and Steve Mills round off the night with 'A Load of Cabbages' in the Gold Room, with a special guest appearance from Jumping Jack Delvin, in aid of the Benevolent Fund. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service, conducted by Ringer The Reverend Michael Seacome, Official Chaplain to the British Ring, followed by the Installation of the new President, Alan Shaxon, arranged by Ted and Rene Whebell, after which a Cocktail Party precedes the President closing the Convention. Organising Secretary: Jeffery Atkins. Dealers' Exhibition: Tony Shelley. Hospital Shows: Les Nottle. Chief Welfare Officer: Michael Seacome.