Join magicians from across the world for the 73rd Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 — five days of Star Lectures, the Stage and Close-Up Competitions, Special Venue Shows, the Ali Bongo Micro Magic Marathon and the International Stars of Magic Gala Show.
The 73rd Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 23rd–27th September 2009 at the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre, with the Convention Banquet in the Lakeside Suite. The week will bring together international performers for Star Lectures, the Stage Competition for the British Ring Shield, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, Special Venue Shows visiting local care homes and schools, the Ali Bongo Micro Magic Marathon, the International Close-Up Gala, and the International Stars of Magic Gala Show.
President Trevor Lewis and his wife Val look forward to welcoming conventioneers to Southport for the thirteenth time the British Ring will have visited the resort. I.B.M. International President Jack White, recovering from a recent diabetic stroke, sends his best wishes for the convention and hopes to join the magic fun with us another year; John R Browne III, Past International President and Legal Advisor to the I.B.M., and Eric Eswin, International President of F.I.S.M., will attend as guests of honour. The week opens with the Official Opening Ceremony and Welcome to Overseas Visitors at the Southport Theatre, followed by the Opening Show and the first evening's Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards. Star Lectures will run throughout the week in the Floral Hall and Lakeside Suite, alongside the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair in the Waterfront Suite, and Special Venue Shows taking magic out to local nursing homes and schools, supported by the Eddie Dexter Welfare Stand and the Giggle of I.B.M. Clowns. Look forward to the Ali Bongo Micro Magic Marathon, Eddie Dawes' 'Thanks For The Memories' finale, the Convention Banquet in the Lakeside Suite, the International Close-Up Gala, the Grand Auction, 'More History Of Mystery', and the Saturday night gala, International Stars Of Magic. The convention will close on Sunday with Stars Of The Future and the handover of the Presidency from Trevor Lewis to incoming President Shirley Ray. We hope you all enjoy the 73rd Convention. Organising Secretary: John Pye.
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.
Andy Stone will introduce Hayashi.
Don Beattie will introduce Brando & Sylvana.
Star Lecture
Clive Moore will introduce the Balloon Workshop with Mike Stokes and Gerry Luff (Playtime Balloons).
Pat Fallon will introduce Sean Taylor.
John Palfreyman will introduce Terry Herbert.
Mark Raffles will introduce Henry Mayol.
Shirley Ray will introduce Ed Ellis.
The Jeffery Atkins Memorial Lecture
President Trevor Lewis will introduce John Styles MBE. John reminisces on a fascinating life in entertainment.
Comedy Magic and Ventriloquism for Family Audiences
Tom Owen will introduce John Kimmons.
Star Lecture Workshop
Mike Gancia will introduce Thom Peterson.
Cynthia Neptune will introduce Tyler Wilson.
Alan Clarke will introduce Pavel.
Competition information, entry details, rules, timings and locations.
Compere Steve Evans. Running order of competitors: 1. James Milner (Stourbridge), 2. Oliver Tabor (Essex), 3. Malcolm Bromwich (Hessle, East Yorkshire), 4. Safire & Steel (North Wales), 5. Dave Andrews (London), 6. Fly by Nite (Erskine, Glasgow), 7. Tai-Hsiang Chou (Taiwan), 8. Amazing Stephen (Stockport), 9. Marianne (London), 10. Amazing Norvil & Josephine (London). Competition Organiser: Shirley Ray; Assistant Competition Organiser: Dave Cass; Stage Director: Neil Roberts; Music by Dave Cass; Timekeepers: Tony Brooks, Chris Poole. Chairman of Judges: John Palfreyman. Judges: John R Browne III, Brian and Audrey Miller, Brian Sefton, Tom Owen, Joy Ball, Jonathan Shotton.
The British Ring Shield plus £1,000 for the most entertaining Magic Act. The Theo Speaker Cup plus £500 for the runner up. The Alastair Wand plus £250 for third place. The Conventioneers Trophy for originality in effect, method or presentation. The Dittia Shield for Manipulation. The Tom Harris Cup for Comedy.
Arranged by Steve Evans. Competitors: Kevin Gallagher (Burton upon Trent), Laura London (London), James Milner (Stourbridge), Rob James (Bristol), Hung-Chih Kuo (Keelung City, Taiwan), Stephen Ablett (Stockport), Michael Jordan (Huddersfield), Stephen Gore (Bradford), Craig Petty (Walsall), Steve Dela (Newport, Shropshire), Will Gray (Leicester). Chairman of Judges: Mike Gancia. Judges: Vanni Pule, Geoff Ray and Sean Taylor.
First Prize — the Zina Bennett Cup plus £1,000 cash. Second Prize — £500 cash. Third Prize — £250 cash. The Rovi trophy may also be presented to the competitor exhibiting a high level of skill with playing cards in an entertaining manner.
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.
Arranged by Jim Boyd. Held in the Waterfront Suite. Trading hours: Thursday 09.30–17.45, Friday 09.30–17.45, Saturday 09.30–17.45. Entrance by convention badge only. The Craig Trophy is awarded to the Dealer presenting the most attractive display, judged on the morning of Thursday 24th September.
Find the buildings, halls, theatres and rooms used throughout the convention.
The Promenade, Southport
PR9 0DZ
Celebrating the performers recognised through the British Ring competition programme.
Close-Up Competition
Stage Competition
Stage Competition
Stage Competition
Ali Bongo Micro Marathon
Dealers Trophy
Close-Up Competition
Stage Competition
Stage Competition
Close-Up Competition
Close-Up Competition
Stage Competition
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