I.B.M. British Ring 55th Annual Convention

President Alan Shaxon looks forward to welcoming Conventioneers to Great Yarmouth for the 55th Annual Convention, in the presence of Councillor Tony Wright, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee of Great Yarmouth, and the International President of the I.B.M., Michael Gorman, attending with his wife Patricia. It is ten years since the Convention was last held in this popular seaside resort, and those who attended in 1981 will find plenty of improvements to enjoy alongside old friends. The week opens on Tuesday evening with the Night Before Get-Together and Early Bird Registration at the Marina Centre, where Rovi and friends entertain with close-up magic at the tables, followed by two performances of ‘Six Card Repeat’ from the Magical Revue Company. Wednesday brings the Registration Desk opening in the Winter Gardens and the Dealers’ Magical Trade Fair opening for the week, arranged by Tony Shelley, with the Craig Trophy to be awarded to the dealer presenting the most attractive display. The Dealers’ Demonstration and the First Star Lecture, in which Jeffery Atkins introduces Ian Adair with ‘Adair’s Ideas’, are followed by the Official Opening of the Convention by the President, Alan Shaxon Esq, and ‘Ring Up The Curtain’, introduced by Peter Scarlett, with Simon Lovell, Shaun McCrea, Larry Becker (U.S.A.), George Johnstone (U.S.A.) and Geraldini & Company, at the organ Keith Hurford and at the drums Bernard McGovern. The Children’s Forum, chaired by Richard Stupple with Brian Eames, Cynthia Neptune, Royston (Roy Gilbert) and Malcolm ‘Mr’ Yaffe, and the Eddie Dexter Welfare Stand round out the afternoon, before Overseas Visitors are welcomed by Mr Barry Laymond ahead of the Civic Reception Ball & Cabaret at the Marina Centre, with dancing to the Carl Norma Quartet and cabaret introduced by Jay Marshall, featuring Richard Kyall (International Illusionist) and Syd Wright (A Joke and a Xylophone), with flagbearers from the Phyllis Adams School of Dance. Thursday brings the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy at the Marina Centre, arranged by Janet Clare with Tony Shelley as Chairman of the Judges; Hospital and Special Venue Shows organised by Les Nottle, taking magic out to local schools, hospitals and residential homes across Great Yarmouth and Caister, with the I.B.M. Clown Band in attendance; a Star Lecture in which Terry Herbert introduces Mark Leveridge with ‘The Magic Party’; the Ladies’ Afternoon at the Carlton Hotel, with Ian Ogilvy presenting ‘The Real Value of Your Jewellery’ followed by afternoon tea and a raffle; and Star Lectures from Peter Scarlett introducing Meir Yedid (U.S.A.) and Father Cyprian (U.S.A.), both to be repeated on Saturday for those unable to attend. Thursday evening brings the competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, organised by John Palfreyman, with Eddie Dawes as Chairman of the Judges, Father Cyprian Murray, Tony King (Great Yarmouth’s Publicity and Tourism Officer), Gretta Sinclair, Tom Owen, Claude Perry and Peter Scarlett judging thirteen competitors for the New Silver British Ring Shield, the Theo Speaker Cup, the Alastair Wand, the Conventioneers Trophy, the Craig Trophy (for the performance by a lady magician), the Dittia Shield and the Tom Harris Cup. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for 1991/92, followed by Star Lectures from Ted Whebell introducing Mac King (U.S.A.) and Derek Lever introducing Jean Merlin (France), Eddie Dawes’ ‘More Pleasures of Yesteryear — Festival of the Fifties’, recalling a happy decade of magic with the assistance of Robert Sinclair & Gretta, Tony Shelley, Elizabeth Warlock, Phillip Hitchcock, David Berglas, Walt Lees, George Johnstone and Brian Miller & Audrey, with music by Keith Hurford & Bernard McGovern and stage direction by Ron Langhorn, and a Star Lecture from Janet Clare introducing Wladimir (Yugoslavia). The Convention Banquet at the Marina Centre, with Toastmaster John Pye, brings toasts to The Queen (proposed by the President), the Borough of Great Yarmouth (proposed by Edwin Dawes, response by Councillor John Cannell, Leader of the Borough Council), the British Ring (proposed by Michael Gorman, International President I.B.M., response by the President) and the Ladies and Visitors (proposed by Brian Miller, response by George Johnstone), before the Presentation of the Awards by the President and The Late Late Gala, in which Ali Bongo introduces Bib and Braces, Keith the Theif, ‘Chapeau’, Peter Hudson, Markus Gabriel and Clem Bailey. Saturday brings repeats of Thursday’s Star Lectures from Meir Yedid and Father Cyprian at the Carlton Hotel; Children’s Showtime at the Wellington Theatre, presented by Roy Gilbert (Royston) and compered by Richard Stupple, with Krakatoa, Des King, Cap’ ‘Ogwash (Ted Lumby), Bob & Lesley Wooding and Zanadu; a reception for All Overseas Visitors with Councillor John Cannell, Leader of the Council, at the Town Hall; International Close-Up, in which Janet Clare introduces Meir Yedid, Father Cyprian, Larry Becker, Mac King and Wladimir; Eddie Dawes’ ‘More History of Mystery’ — the Magic Collectors’ Seminar — with Peter Lane on ‘Professor Anderson: The Man, his Magic and Misfortunes’, George Johnstone on ‘Trouping with Blackstone’ and Father Cyprian on ‘Cine-Mentalists — The Film Portrayal of the Mentalist’, alongside a display of portraits of magicians of the past assembled by Jack Jenkins for the Benevolent Fund; and further Star Lectures from John Palfreyman introducing Roy Johnson and Duncan Fletcher introducing Larry Becker. Saturday night’s International Magic plays two houses at the Britannia Theatre, the programme arranged and presented for the British Ring, with Ali Bongo and Ron Langhorn as Stage Director, Assistant Stage Managers Peter Laing and Neil Roberts, compered by Sylvia Schuyer with an overture from Keith Hurford at the organ and Bernard McGovern at the drums, featuring Tim Raffles (England), Wladimir (Yugoslavia, prize-winning act), Gill et Dany (France, ‘Indescribable’), Markus Gabriel (Switzerland) and Jean Merlin (France, Entertaining Balloons) in the first half, and ‘Chapeau’ (Germany, Man of Many Disguises), Ron MacMillan (England, The Man with the Golden Hands), Martin Cottet (Switzerland, Magic in the Modern Mode), Mac King (U.S.A., Just for Fun) and Philippart & Anja (Holland, Illusionist) after the interval; the taking of photographs and videos during the performance is strictly forbidden. Jack Delvin & Simon Lovell round off the night with ‘The Alternative Cabbage Show’ at the Carlton Hotel. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service, conducted by the Reverend Michael Austin, Official Chaplain to the British Ring, followed by the Installation of the new President, Geoff Ray, and a Cocktail Party arranged by Ted and Rene Whebell, after which the President will close the Convention. Organising Secretary: Jeffery Atkins. Dealers’ Exhibition: Tony Shelley. Hospital Shows: Les Nottle. Chief Steward: John Palfreyman.