Join magicians from across the world for the 72nd Annual Convention — five days of Star Lectures, the Stage and Close-Up Competitions, Special Venue Shows, the Micro Marathon and International Stars of Magic.
The 72nd Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 comes to Eastbourne from Wednesday 24th to Sunday 28th September 2008, the fourteenth time the Convention has been held in the resort. Centred on the Congress Theatre, with further events in the Floral Hall, the Congress Suite, the Gold Room, the Tennis Centre, the Devonshire Park Theatre and the Lansdowne Hotel, the week brings together an amazing galaxy of magic stars covering all branches of the art, alongside Star Lectures and Workshops, the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, the Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, Hospital and Special Venue Shows, the Ali Bongo Micro Marathon, the Convention Banquet and the International Stars of Magic Gala Show.
President Derek McFaull's message, received shortly before his untimely death, welcomes conventioneers to the 72nd Convention, the fourteenth to be held in the popular resort of Eastbourne, in the presence of the Worshipful The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Greg Szanto, and the International President of the I.B.M., Joan Caesar, a Canadian making a special visit to share the friendship of magic with England and the United Kingdom. The programme opens on Wednesday with the Official Opening Ceremony and Welcome to Overseas Visitors, given by Immediate Past President John Styles MBE, followed immediately by The Opening Show, in which Mike Close will introduce Gene Anderson, Mel Mellers, Oscar Munoz and Safire. Star Lectures follow through the afternoon from Levent, Oscar Munoz, Nick Einhorn and Michael Finney, before the evening's Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards, with twelve competitors performing for the Shield, the Theo Speaker Cup, the Alastair Wand, the Conventioneers Trophy, the Dittia Shield and the Tom Harris Cup. The Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, arranged by Jim Boyd in the Exhibition Hall adjacent to the Winter Gardens, opens on Thursday and runs through to Saturday, alongside further Star Lectures and Workshops, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy in the Tennis Centre, and Hospital and Special Venue Shows, arranged by the late Derek McFaull, taking magic out to local schools and care organisations, supported by the Eddie Dexter Welfare Stand and visits from the Giggle of I.B.M. Clowns. Thursday evening brings the Ali Bongo Micro Marathon and The Thursday Night Show. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers, followed by the Jeffrey Atkins Memorial Lecture from Geoffrey Durham, Eddie Dawes' 'Jubilee Jubilations — A Personal Celebration of Eastbourne', further Star Lectures and Workshops, and the Convention Banquet in the Gold Room, followed by the Presentation of Awards, the Installation of incoming President Trevor Lewis, and The Late Gala. Extra charge events with Paul Wilson and Juan Tamariz follow at the Lansdowne Hotel. Saturday brings Children's Showtime at the Devonshire Park Theatre, the International Close-up Gala, the Grand Auction in aid of the Welfare and Benevolent Fund, Eddie Dawes' 'More History of Mystery' seminar, further Star Lectures, the Junior Workshop with Mandy Davis, and the evening's International Stars of Magic Gala Show, introduced by Jeff Hobson. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service conducted by the Rev Alan Clarke, followed by Cynthia Neptune's Stars of the Future and the Official Presidential Handover and Close of Convention. Organising Secretary: John Pye. Executive Producer: Paul Stone.
Meet the performers, lecturers, hosts and special guests appearing at this convention.
Browse shows, lectures, competitions, workshops and social events day by day.
Explore the lectures and specialist sessions in the programme.
Star Lecture
Ali Bongo will introduce Levent.
Star Lecture
Bob Hayden will introduce Oscar Munoz.
Star Lecture
Trevor Lewis will introduce Nick Einhorn.
Star Lecture
John Styles MBE will introduce Michael Finney.
Star Lecture
Paul Stone will introduce Bill Herz.
Star Lecture
Terry Herbert will introduce Mike Bent.
Star Workshop
Bill Herz, Jeff Hobson and Michael Weber present a workshop on magic in the corporate world.
Star Workshop
Shirley Ray will introduce Jeff Hobson.
Star Lecture
Paul Stone will introduce Bob Kohler.
The Jeffrey Atkins Memorial Lecture
Immediate Past President John Styles MBE will introduce Geoffrey Durham. Presented annually, during the Convention, by a distinguished member or guest as a fitting tribute to a long serving and dedicated member of the British Ring.
Star Close-Up Show
Mike Gancia will introduce Juan Tamariz.
Star Lecture
John Palfreyman will introduce Gene Anderson.
Star Lecture
Jon Marshall will introduce Kalin & Jinger.
Star Lecture/Workshop
Peter Scarlett will introduce Derek DelGuadio and Jason England.
Star Lecture
John Pye will introduce Michael Weber.
Star Lecture
Ali Bongo will introduce Juan Tamariz.
Presented by Eddie Dawes. Paul Freeman: Noms de Théâtre — Names to Conjure With. Michael Symes: A Sunshade in a Storm — The Case of the Mutilated Parasol. Roy Field: Dleisfen, the Forgotten British Ring Secretary. John Palfreyman: Illusions of Grandeur.
Star Lecture
Steve Evans will introduce Guy Hollingworth.
Competition information, entry details, rules, timings and locations.
Compere Steve Evans. Running order of competitors: 1. Club Magic (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), 2. Vision (Basingstoke), 3. Su Jayne (Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear), 4. Joe Ray (Belvidere, Shrewsbury), 5. Dave Allen (Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire), 6. Edward Hilsum (Kent), 7. Rev-Illusion (Eastbourne, East Sussex), 8. Maestro Leonardo (Brighton, Sussex), 9. Laura London (London), 10. Rikki T (West Hagley, West Midlands), 11. Mindwriter (Bath), 12. Jonathan Shotton (West Malling, Kent). Interval. Awards: The British Ring Shield + £1,000 for the most entertaining Magic Act; The Theo Speaker Cup + £500 for the runner up; The Alastair Wand + £250 for the third place; The Conventioneers Trophy for originality in effect, method or presentation; The Dittia Shield for Manipulation; The Tom Harris Cup for Comedy. Competition Organiser: Shirley Ray. Assistant Competition Organiser: Dave Cass. Stage Director: Neil Roberts. Music by: Dave Cass DPLM, GCLCM. Timekeepers: Tony Brooks, Chris Poole. Chairman of Judges: Ali Bongo. Judges: Joan Caesar (The IBM International President), John Palfreyman, Merson Grant, Harry Reeves, Danny Hunt (Amethyst), Annette (Amethyst).
Arranged by Steve Evans. Competitors: Rob James (Hull), Mark Shortland (Northampton), Paul Ray (Shrewsbury), Ali Shelley (New York), John Van Der Put (London), Andrew Melia (Amsterdam), Dave Allen (Houghton Regis), Michael Jordan (Huddersfield), Don Simpson (Rayleigh), Will Gray (Leicester). Awards: First Prize — the Zina Bennett Cup + £1000.00 cash; Second Prize — £500.00 cash; Third Prize — £250.00 cash. The Rovi trophy may also be presented to the competitor exhibiting a high level of skill with playing cards in an entertaining manner. Chairman of Judges: Mike Gancia. Judges: Jim Boyd, Walt Lees, Trevor Lewis and Obie O'Brien.
A fun micro-magic competition, with competitors visiting as many tables as possible in around an hour and the winner decided by audience vote.
Awarded for the Ali Bongo Micro Marathon Trophy.
Awarded to the dealer presenting the most attractive stand at the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair. Historically also known as the Craig Trophy / Craig Cup.
Judged during Convention week; awarded for the best-presented dealer stand at the Trade Fair.
Discover the dealers, creators and magical suppliers attending the convention.
Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, arranged by Jim Boyd, held in the Exhibition Hall adjacent to the Winter Gardens. Trading hours: Thursday 09.30-17.00, Friday 09.30-17.00, Saturday 09.30-17.00. Entrance by Convention badge only. The Craig Trophy will be awarded to the Dealer presenting the most attractive display; displays to be judged on the morning of Thursday 25th September.
Find the buildings, halls, theatres and rooms used throughout the convention.
Compton Street, Eastbourne
Adjacent to the Winter Gardens, Eastbourne
Home of the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair
Celebrating the performers recognised through the British Ring competition programme.
Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards
Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards
Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards
Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy
Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy
Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards
Dealers Trophy
Ali Bongo Micro Marathon
Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards
Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy
Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards
Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy
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