I.B.M. British Ring 81st Annual Convention

Elliot has been performing magic for over 15 years, since seeing his first magic trick in the Hamleys toy shop in London. He studied Sports Engineering for four years at university and missed his own graduation ceremony because he was booked into a four-week show in Las Vegas. He has been entertaining audiences professionally with close-up and stage magic for the past five years. At Greenock, Elliot closed the convention alongside Cameron Gibson in Mentalism v Magician, showing two different styles of entertaining.

Internationally renowned card expert, Gordon is an avid collector with a passionate interest in magic bibliography and history, and is the custodian of Scotland's Magic Archive. At Greenock he contributed to the Friday History of Mystery session, presented by Eddie Dawes alongside Ajay Vora and John Davenport.

Jeff is part of the comedy magic duo Fifth Dimension with Ivor Smith. Although specialising in using magic in a training environment (particularly within health & safety), they have also performed at the Magic Castle and Jeff McBride's Wonderground. Jeff loves jelly beans and is passionate about collaboration when it comes to magic. At Greenock he presented an engaging, effective, energising Motivational Event, and performed in the Friday night Comedy Show.

John Davenport, grandson of the founder of the famous Davenport Magic business which possesses a huge accumulation of magic material, is currently developing the Davenport Collection website to render the family holdings accessible to all. He contributed to the Friday History of Mystery session at Greenock, presented by Eddie Dawes alongside Gordon Bruce and Ajay Vora.

From the age of seven, Gary was hooked. First it was just playing, then a hobby, and eventually his career. 2017 marked Gary's 31st year since his first professional engagement at Berwick Holiday Centre back in '86, and his 21st year as a full-time entertainer. He's worked in every imaginable venue around the world, and in his time has also been a professional compere, disc jockey, Austin Powers look-a-like, and even a Gorilla-gram; magic was always his first love. His Thursday lecture delivered 60 minutes of totally useable, fun and prop-light magic routines and bits of business straight out of his working repertoire.

Keith Fields is truly an international performer. He was born in the Caribbean, brought up in England, and is now living in the USA. He is a diverse performer with the ability to play any audience — one minute a stand-up comedian, the next a hilarious prop comic; definitely not your average comedian or your average magician. At Greenock he performed in the Friday Comedy Show, shared brand new tricks and inspiration in his Saturday session 'Must Improve My Conjuring', and hosted the Saturday Late Night Show.

After receiving a magic kit for his birthday, like many magicians, Cameron was hooked. Performing simple 'magic tricks' wasn't enough for him though — a problem solver, he wanted to delve deeper, and whilst spending four years studying Mechanical Design Engineering in Glasgow he took a keen interest in psychological mentalism and has been on the dark side ever since. At Greenock he performed in International Close Up and closed the convention alongside Elliot Bibby in Mentalism v Magician.

Amethyst are international illusionists Danny Hunt and Stephanie Clarke. Highly acclaimed as one of the UK's top magic and illusion acts, Amethyst have established themselves as world-class performers. With their fresh and dynamic approach, they lead the way in cruise ship, corporate and private events, and their unique and versatile shows have attracted world-wide acclaim, dazzling audiences in many countries. Danny Hunt opened the Greenock convention with a daring escapology feat outside the Beacon Arts Centre, ran a Saturday escapology workshop, and Amethyst judged the British Ring Shield Competition.

Peter McLanachan is an exceptional Scottish card man who has lectured and performed around the UK as well as in Ireland, Germany and the United States. He has been an attendee of the invitation-only 4F Convention in America since 2009. Earlier in 2017, Peter was named Scottish Close Up Magician of the Year, as well as being awarded the Jimmy Craig Quaich for Services to Scottish Magic by the President of the Scottish Association of Magical Societies. At Greenock he gave a Thursday masterclass on a close-up effect he has used for over 15 years, and organised Saturday's 4F Event.

Scotty got his first trick from Roy Walton at Tam Shephards in Glasgow circa 1969. At age 19 it was time to try it as a working magician, so he turned professional at the encouragement of Bobby Bernard, who saw his efforts at Blackpool following his win of best stage act at SAMS 1977. He has travelled the world performing and lecturing ever since, with 37 years on cruise ships and as a regular at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Scotty gave the Scottish welcome at the Official Opening of the Greenock convention, and organised the Special Venue Shows into local care homes.

Morgan & West have been touring their shows all over the UK and indeed the world since 2008. Most recently they had just finished a run of their brand new show for kids at the Edinburgh Fringe and were preparing to tour that show and their evening show, Time Travelling Magicians, throughout the UK. They opened the Greenock convention with their unique brand of magic, wit and whimsy, gave a Thursday lecture on double thinking, and judged the British Ring Shield Competition.

Past winner of the British Ring Shield, along with the FISM comedy award and The Magic Circle Carlton Award for comedy magic, and many others, Paul's main interest is in Mentalism. Along with his wife Mhairi, he is renowned the world over for The Great Nardini comedy act. MIMC with Gold Star, a performer and lecturer at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas and conventions around the UK and Europe, Paul's magic started here in Scotland and he is now an Honorary Member of the Paisley Magic Circle. At Greenock he gave the 'Lost Luggage Show' masterclass and performed in the Friday Comedy Show.

Caricaturist / Silhouette artist / Comedy writer, Brian's writing credits include Naked Radio, Naked Video, Only an Excuse, Little and Large, 2000 Not Out, The Ferguson Theory, Pulp Video and Samstag Nacht, plus the comedy novel BLISTER, available on Amazon. At Greenock he ran a Saturday workshop on the secrets of comedy script writing, sharing a system for unlocking comedic ideas.

Past International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Obie has also been involved with various aspects of FISM over many years. He is attending his 6th British Ring convention and gave an insight into the 4F convention which he now hosts. His Thursday lecture, 'Something for Everyone', covered jumbo card magic in various guises and an insight into the world of competitions.

A professional magician from the Greenock area, Alan Rorrison specialises in close-up and sleight of hand magic. He is also one of the world's leading consultants in magic for TV and stage productions, and has an incredibly creative mind which makes him one of the most successful magicians of our time. At his home convention he gave a Friday creativity talk, 'A Simple Process to Complex Things', and a Saturday lecture, 'The Missing Digit'.

The little bear and his friends joined the Greenock convention once again, in a special year — Sooty's very special friend Richard was installed as the British Ring President on Sunday. Richard brought Sooty to the Saturday Sooty & Friends Show, and performed his first duty as president by closing the 2017 convention.

Neil is a close up magician who has been performing for over 18 years. During this time he has been invited to perform at The Magic Castle in Hollywood and the FFFF Convention, amongst others. Originally from Perth, he lived in Edinburgh for ten years and recently moved to London. His Saturday masterclass, 'Memories in the Making', discussed memorised deck magic, including its history, advantages and the methods needed to learn it.

Dr Ajay Vora, a retired North Lincolnshire General Practitioner, is a magic enthusiast and performer of both close-up and stage magic, and Membership Secretary of Hull Magicians' Circle. He contributed to the Friday History of Mystery session at Greenock, presented by Eddie Dawes alongside Gordon Bruce and John Davenport.

He is the world's foremost expert on cons and scams, a master magician, a speaker, a film maker with credits for creating, writing, producing and directing, and an authority in the art of deception. At Greenock he performed in International Close Up and gave the lecture 'Miraculous', on simple methods with complex, powerful reactions.

Richard began his working life as a professional magician and is a Member of the Inner Magic Circle. He completed his PhD at the University of Edinburgh and currently holds Britain's only Professorship in the Public Understanding of Psychology, at the University of Hertfordshire. In 2016 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Abertay University for his work into the public understanding of science. Clive Moore introduced Richard for the Jeffery Atkins Memorial Lecture, 'Why Magic Matters'.

Paul's dynamic and high-energy style has garnered him multiple accolades and awards, sending him and his cheeky brand of magic to audiences across six continents. From a background of extensive theatrical experience, he has established himself as one of the finest rising stars in the world of magic. A highly versatile performer, Paul's deceptive talents range from intimate sleight-of-hand to spectacular stage illusions. At Greenock he presented his 'Look At Me' show to a lay audience relayed into the Main Theatre, gave a Saturday lecture on performing a one-man show, judged the British Ring Shield Competition, and performed in the Gala Show.

When you hear the name Fritz, you may think of Fritz the Cat, or even the chess program 'Fritz'. However, there is one Fritz that stands out: Fritz with a Z. Fritz is the only Dutch magician who has performed on six continents. Not only has his magic been published in numerous international magic publications, Fritz has appeared on TV shows around the world and counts millionaires and celebrities among his fans. This award-winning magician now performs mostly at corporate and private functions. At Greenock, Fritz brought Tim Ellis's MagicSports to the Friday Late Night Event, performed in the Gala Show, and gave a Sunday lecture of strong, commercial routines.

Truly a many sided artist, Rafael is an award-winning magician, inventor, comedian, illusionist and world traveller. An impressive list of prizes makes him one of the top magicians in the present magic scene, including the 'Magic Award' for best magician in Belgium, the prestigious Mandrake d'Or in Paris, and, in 2005, the 'Siegfried & Roy Golden Lion award' in Las Vegas for his comedy 'Magic Dove Act'. He is a true master in hilarious improvisations, with an awesome sense for originality, humour and imagination. Rafael performed in the Gala Show and closed the lecture programme on Sunday morning.

Fast Hands, Smart Mouth, Nice Suit — Mat Ricardo, the gentleman juggler, is one of the most unique, critically-acclaimed, and reliably entertaining variety performers in the world. He appeared in the first half of the Greenock Gala Show.

Proudly representing Scotland, Garry Seagraves performs magic at the highest level assisted by J.J., who brings a touch of glamour to the act. Employed by the Hilton Hotel Group as resident magician for over twenty-five years, he can also be seen regularly performing at the Haven and Parkdean Holiday Resorts. Garry appeared in the first half of the Greenock Gala Show.

Katie Trickett is a British female magician specialising in unique presentations of stage magic and sideshow acts. The magic passion began during several years as an assistant for a number of illusionists, and since then Katie has performed her own magic acts on hundreds of stages across the UK and internationally, in theatres and on cruises. Previous clients include Manchester City Football Club, private parties for footballers including Wayne Rooney and Yaya Touré, Disney Pixar, TV specials for CBBC and other magic conventions, including The Northern Convention 2016 and Stimf 2015. As an exclusive for the IBM, Katie performed sideshow acts usually only seen when touring with Dr Diablo, in the Greenock Gala Show.

Geoff Williams is a full-time comic, television writer and comedy magician in St. Pete Beach, Florida, and performs for corporate and family audiences. He has performed and lectured throughout Europe, South America, Australia, Canada and all over the U.S., including at the Magic Castle in Hollywood and the Magic Circle in London. Geoff has also done online lectures for both Penguin Magic and Murphy's Magic. His 'Miracles For Mortals' DVD set (produced by Kozmo Magic) has garnered rave reviews worldwide, and the DVD single 'The I Hate David Copperfield Trick' was on Penguin Magic's Bestseller List for over a year. He wrote over a dozen Top Ten Lists for 'The Late Show with David Letterman'. Geoff is a member of I.B.M., S.A.M., FFFF and the Academy of Magical Arts, known for outrageous, family-friendly comedy mixed with a dose of stunning sleight-of-hand illusions. He compered the Greenock Gala Show and gave a Sunday lecture packed with tricks for all skill levels.

Alba Ballet, Inverclyde's only performing Classical Ballet Company, were delighted to join the International Stars of Magic and Variety Gala Show — their Junior Section performing a piece to traditional Scottish music with its own bit of magic, while their Seniors performed a fast-moving contemporary dance full of movement and mystic.

Eddie Dawes has organised and chaired what became known as the History of Mystery session at British Ring conventions for many years. At Greenock in 2017 he brought together contributions from Gordon Bruce, Ajay Vora and John Davenport for the Friday afternoon History of Mystery session.