I.B.M. British Ring 59th Annual Convention

The annual convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25, one of Europe's longest-running magic conventions. Featuring international performers, Star Lectures, the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, the Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards, Children's Showtime, and International Magic — the Gala Show.

President Tom Owen and his wife Margaret look forward to welcoming conventioneers to this lovely seaside town for the 59th Annual Convention, in the presence of the Worshipful The Mayor of the Borough of Scarborough, Councillor Ian D. Stubbs, and the International President of the I.B.M., Ken Klosterman. Registration opens on Tuesday evening in the Ocean Room, after which delegates may chat in the Spa until 20.30 hours before visiting the Dealers — no admission unless wearing a badge. The Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, arranged by Tony Shelley, opens in the Ocean Room on Tuesday evening and runs through to Sunday lunchtime; the Craig Trophy will be awarded to the Dealer presenting the most attractive display, judged on Thursday morning. Wednesday opens with the Magic of the Dealers, in which Tony Shelley introduces the Magic Dealers as they demonstrate their latest items, assisted by John Palfreyman, at the keyboard Dave Cass, before the Official Opening of the 59th Convention at the Futurist Theatre by President Tom Owen, followed immediately by 'Scarborough Fayre', introduced by Peter Greenwood with Al Cohen, Rich Bloch, Mike Cassidy, Dominic Wood and Aldo Colombini, at the organ Dave Cass. Overseas Visitors are requested to meet John Palfreyman in the entrance to the Grand Hall at 19.30 hours, prior to the Gala Cabaret Evening, given by kind invitation of the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor and Mrs Ian D. Stubbs, who together with the President of the British Ring and the International President of the I.B.M. will receive the Overseas Visitors, with dancing to The Derek MacFall Band and cabaret in which Peter Scarlett introduces Mr Jupiter ('Tricky Business'), with flagbearers from Julie Hatton's Dance Warehouse and the Tombola Stand run by Helene Strachan and helpers. Thursday brings a Star Lecture in which Jeffery Atkins introduces Rich Bloch; the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, arranged by Janet Clare and Mike Gancia across the Regency Rooms, Music Room and Foyer, with Tony Shelley as Chairman of the Judges; further Star Lectures in which Ali Bongo introduces Alexander De Cova and Ted Whebell introduces Richard Stupple ('The Magic of Eric C Lewis'); the Ladies' Afternoon at the Hotel St Nicholas, with Janice Springall & Company presenting 'Imaginative Icing — Cakes for all Seasons', followed by afternoon tea and a raffle; and Hospital and Special Venue Shows, organised by Derek McFaull, taking magic out to Scarborough Hospital, Springhead School, Woodlands School, Age Concern and St Catherine's Hospice, with the I.B.M. Clowns circulating around the venues during the afternoon. Thursday evening brings the Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards at the Futurist Theatre, organised by John Palfreyman with Colin Peters as Assistant Organiser, Neil Roberts as Stage Manager and Eddie Dawes as Chairman of the Judges, with fourteen competitors performing for the New 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 1995/96, followed by a Star Lecture in which Terry Herbert introduces Max Maven, the International Close-Up, arranged by Janet Clare and Mike Gancia, with Alexander De Cova (Italy), Jon Allen (UK), Mr Jupiter (Hungary), Guy Hollingworth (UK), Bob Driebeek (Holland) and Hank Moorehouse (USA), and a single performance of Eddie Dawes' 'Magic and Variety of the Halls', recapturing the aspects of magic and the allied arts presented in the variety theatres of Britain, featuring Martyn James, Amy Dawes, Jeffery Atkins, Claude Perry, Topper Martyn, Brian Sefton and Alan Shaxon and Anne, with Dave Cass at the keyboard and stage direction by Neil Roberts. Peter Scarlett introduces Patrick Page for the late-afternoon Star Lecture, 'The Topit Seminar', and the Convention Banquet at the Hotel St Nicholas, with Toastmaster John Pye, precedes the Presentation of Awards by the President and The Late Late Gala, in which Aldo Colombini introduces Claude Jan & Christine, Fluke, Len Blease, Rich Marotta and Bob Wooding, with Dave Cass at the keyboard. Saturday brings Children's Showtime, produced by Leslie Melville and presented by Percy Piecrust, with Shirley Ray & Honey Bear, Ricky McLeod, 'Uncle' Les Taylor & 'Bertie' the Rascally Rabbit, Magic Bob, 'The Prince of Humbug' and The Carnival Cavalcade of Strange People at the Spa Theatre, with front-of-house entertainment from the I.B.M. Clowns and music by Penny Arcadia; a reception at the Town Hall given by the Mayor for Overseas Visitors, with Les Nottle meeting delegates at the Hotel St Nicholas beforehand; Star Lectures in which Maggie Tucker introduces Robert Swadling and Bob Hayden introduces Jack Delvin ('Delvins Devious Devices' — all types of original magic by The Jack of All Tricks); Eddie Dawes' 'More History of Mystery', the Collectors' (and Others') Seminar, with Richard Stupple on Magical Deltiology, Nick Ruggiero on Magical Invention and Ethics, Werner Johannsen on The Willmans (Famous German Dealers) and Ken Klosterman on Mining Magical Treasures; and a Star Lecture in which John Palfreyman introduces Aldo Colombini. Saturday night's International Magic at the Futurist Theatre plays two houses at 18.00 and 21.00, the programme arranged and presented by Jeffery Atkins with Neil Roberts as Stage Director for the British Ring and Ali Bongo as Programme Consultant and Master of Ceremonies, with George and Jorgos (Greece) presenting 'Cinema to Life', Jean Garin (France) with 'And the Gloves', Wayne Dobson presenting 'Secrets', Max Maven ('So He Thinks') and Valentino (Germany, 'Tapping It Out') in the first house, and Enric Magoo (Spain), Alexander De Cova (Germany), Pavlov's Puppets and Scott Cervine (USA) in the second, with Dave Cass at the keyboard; the taking of photographs and videos during the performance is strictly forbidden. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service at the Hotel St Nicholas, conducted by the Reverend Michael Austin, Official Chaplain to The British Ring, followed by the Installation of the new President, John Pye, arranged by Ted and Rene Whebell, after which a Cocktail Party precedes the President closing the Convention. Organising Secretary: Jeffery Atkins.