I.B.M. British Ring 64th Annual Convention

The 64th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 26th September – 1st October 2000 at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, with further events in the Floral Hall, the Gold Room, the Congress Restaurant, the Exhibition Hall adjacent to the Winter Garden, the Lawn Tennis Centre and the Devonshire Park Theatre. The week brings together international performers for Star Lectures, Balloon Modelling workshops, the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, Hospital and Special Venue Shows, the Ladies’ Afternoon, Eddie Dawes’ Twentieth-Century Magic, the Convention Banquet, International Close-Up, The Late Late Gala and the International Magic Gala Show.

President Louis Martelle and his wife Joan look forward to welcoming members and delegates back to Eastbourne for the 64th Annual Convention, in the presence of The Worshipful The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Michael E. Tunwell, and the International President of the I.B.M., Jack K. Greenberg, attending with his wife Carole — an historic meeting bridging two centuries. Jeffery Atkins and his co-workers have scoured the world for the best in magic, from spectacular stage acts to brilliant close-up. The week opens on Tuesday evening in the Floral Hall with registration, followed by the Dealers’ Exhibition and a meeting in the Gold Room for all performers in the hospital shows. Wednesday brings Shirley Ray’s Balloon Modelling workshop, the Magic of the Dealers introduced by Tony Shelley and assisted by John Palfreyman, the Official Opening of the 64th Convention at the Congress Theatre and ‘Into the Millennium’, in which Ali Bongo introduces Colin Rose, Carlijn, Steve Bedwell and Tensai. Peter Scarlett introduces Nicholas Einhorn for the late-afternoon Star Lecture, and the day closes with the Civic Reception Ball & Cabaret in the Floral Hall, with dancing to The Ricky Norman Sound and a cabaret in which Tom Owen introduces ‘Rousseau’ and The Illusions of Aquarius, with flagbearers from The Sussex School of Dance. Thursday brings the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy at the Lawn Tennis Centre, arranged by Mike Gancia; a Star Lecture from Tad Ware with ‘Magic’s Inner World’, introduced by Eddie Dawes; the Hospital and Special Venue Shows organised by Derek McFaull, taking magic out to local schools, hospitals, hospices and day centres, with the I.B.M. Clowns attending some venues; the Ladies’ Afternoon in the Gold Room with the Debenhams Fashion Show; a Star Lecture from Goldfinger, star of The Magic Castle, introduced by Jeffery Atkins; and the evening Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, followed by a special event in which Jeffery Atkins introduces William H. McIlhany with films of past great magicians and earlier British Ring Conventions. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for 2000/2001, followed by Terry Herbert introducing David Wood on entertaining children’s magic, International Close-Up at the Lawn Tennis Centre organised by Mike Gancia with Steve Bedwell, Dominique Duvivier, Nicholas Einhorn, Jur Luiten, Billy McComb and Tommy Wonder, and Eddie Dawes’ ‘Twentieth-Century Magic’ — an idiosyncratic review of some of the magic, events and performers who enlivened the magical scene during the past century — sustained by Faust, Ian Keable, Bill McIlhany, Brian Miller and Audrey, Mike O’Brien, Jim Scott and Star Sign Gemini. Derek Lever introduces Peter Gardner’s ‘Gardner’s World’, and the Convention Banquet in the Gold Room, with Toastmaster John Pye, precedes the Presentation of Awards and The Late Late Gala featuring Billy McComb, Terry Seabrooke, Peggy Fox, ‘Amethyst’ and Crisco. Saturday brings Star Lectures from Dominique Duvivier, Steve Bedwell and Billy McComb, Roger Crosthwaite’s Master Cardicians’ Seminar for advanced card workers, Children’s Showtime 2000 at the Devonshire Park Theatre devised and produced by Terry Herbert, a reception at the Town Hall given by the Mayor, the Grand Auction in aid of the Benevolent and Welfare Funds with auctioneer Alan Driffield, Eddie Dawes’ ‘More History of Mystery’ seminar with Jeffery Atkins, Bobby Bernard, Ann Davenport and Michael Symes, and the Young Magicians’ Workshop organised and introduced by Richard Stupple. Saturday night’s International Magic at the Congress Theatre plays two houses at 18.00 and 21.00, the programme arranged and presented by Jeffery Atkins with Ali Bongo as Programme Consultant and Neil Roberts as Stage Director; Rich Bloch is Master of Ceremonies, with The ‘Sixties’ Tiller Girls, Julius Frack, Murray, ‘Versini’, Peter Marvey and Goldfinger & Dove in the first house and Peter Marvey, Tommy Wonder, The Evasons and Mickael & Bethy Ross in the second, with Dave Cass at the keyboard. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service conducted by Derek McFaull, Chaplain to Salisbury Cathedral, and the Installation of the new President, John Palfreyman, arranged by Rene & Ted Whebell. Organising Secretary: Jeffery Atkins. Dealers’ Exhibition: Tony Shelley. Chief Steward: Don Beattie. Official Interpreter: Bill Schotanus.