I.B.M. British Ring 66th Annual Convention

The 66th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 24th–29th September 2002 at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, with further events in the Floral Hall, the Gold Room, the Congress Suite, the Tennis Centre, the Devonshire Park Theatre, the Exhibition Hall adjacent to the Winter Garden and the Lansdowne Hotel. The week brings together international performers for Star Lectures, 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, Jubilee Magic, the Convention Banquet, the International Close-Up Gala, The Late Late Gala and the International Magic Gala Show.

President Mike Gancia and his wife Elizabeth look forward to welcoming members and delegates to Eastbourne for the 66th Annual Convention, in the presence of The Worshipful The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Miss Olive Woodall, and the International President of the I.B.M., Michael F. Stratman, attending with his wife Darlene. This is the first complete year in which Honorary Secretary Tony Shelley has overseen the organisation of the convention, and he has set out to provide a varied range of acts, many of which have not been seen before in this country. Registration opens on Tuesday evening in the Floral Hall, followed by the Dealers’ Exhibition — no admission unless wearing a badge — and a meeting of the Hospital performers in the Gold Room. Wednesday begins with Steve Bedwell’s ‘Thick Schtick’ Workshop and David Grist’s Balloon Workshop, the Magic of the Dealers introduced by Richard Stupple, and a Star Lecture from Paul Cummins (USA), before the Official Opening of the 66th Convention at the Congress Theatre and the Past Presidentation compiled and introduced by John Palfreyman. Tom Jones & Rachel Wild present ‘Kiddies to Korporate’, and the day closes with the Civic Reception Ball & Cabaret, at which JJ introduces Duncan Trillo, Lee David Bowen and Colin Rose, with dancing to the Jim Shelley ‘Frisco Jazz Band’ and flagbearers from the Sussex School of Dance. Thursday brings the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy in the Tennis Centre, arranged by Elizabeth Warlock; a Star Lecture from Roberto Giobbi (Switzerland); the Hospital and Special Venue Shows organised by Derek McFaull, taking magic out to local schools, hospitals, hospices and care homes, with the I.B.M. Clowns led by ‘Streaky’ Reg Allen appearing at selected venues; the Ladies’ Afternoon with Master Puppeteer Mel Myland; the Inaugural Jeffery Atkins Memorial Lecture, in which Mike Gancia introduces John Fisher with ‘Lives of Illusion’; and the evening Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, organised by John Pye with Ali Bongo as Chairman of the Judges. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for 2002/2003, followed by a Star Lecture from Peter Greenwood, the International Close-Up Gala organised by Elizabeth Warlock and introduced by Bryan Atherton, Eddie Dawes’ ‘Jubilee Magic’ complementing the Queen’s fifty-year reign, and a Star Lecture from Henry Evans (Argentina). The Convention Banquet in the Floral Hall, with Toastmaster John Pye, precedes the Presentation of Awards by the President and The Late Late Gala, in which Paul Eastwood introduces Danny Cole (USA), Antje Pode (Germany), Pierre Brahma (France) and Russ Stevens (UK). Saturday brings Star Lectures from Cyril Harvey, Dominique Duvivier and Mathieu Bich, Children’s Showtime 2002 at the Devonshire Park Theatre produced and directed by Terry Herbert, the Grand Auction in aid of the Benevolent and Welfare Funds with auctioneer Alan Driffield, Eddie Dawes’ ‘More History of Mystery’ seminar with Jo Hansen, Trevor Dawson and Bob Read, and the Junior Workshop with Mandy Davis and The Young Magicians Club. Saturday night’s International Magic Gala Show at the Congress Theatre, arranged and presented by Tony Shelley with Ali Bongo as Programme Consultant and Neil Roberts as Stage Director, is compered by Fielding West (USA) and features Rafael, Ericsson & Laver, Alexandra & Dominique Duvivier, Richard Forget, Visiona, Cyril Harvey and Bin Lin, with Dave Cass at the keyboard. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service conducted by Padre Derek McFaull, including a short tribute to Rene Whebell, Hon Life Member. Organising Secretary: Tony Shelley. Dealers’ Exhibition: Richard Stupple. Chief Steward: Don Beattie.