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72nd British Ring IBM Convention
24th - 28th September 2008, Eastbourne
Update 5, 28th June 2008.
Bob Hayden, British Ring PRO
Two
of the best of this country’s comedy magicians have been added to the list of
artistes who will be appearing at Eastbourne. They are John Archer and
Mel Mellers.
John Archer is recognised as a stand-up Comedy magician with a penchant
for the visual pun and full-on audience combat with a mentalist slant. He
attacks the audience with the skill and panache of a rampant bull and takes them
on a roller-coaster ride of idiotic sight gags and baffling magic.
The genesis of John’s interest in magic started in 1981 when he was studying for
a BA Honours degree in Industrial Design. He became noticed after teaming up
with fellow member of the Middlesborough Circle of Magicians Mike Smith in an
act called Archini & Smith winning the ‘Alistair Wand’ in the Ring’s stage
competition in 1995.
Since becoming a solo full time entertainer in 1996, John’s newfound career has
never faltered. Over the years he has had several prestigious awards conferred
upon him. Be prepared to rock with laughter in your seats when John Archer
emcees the Thursday Night Show.
Mel Mellors is just a hilarious comedy performer. He is a comedy magician
with an unbelievably sharp wit. His act is completely original with a unique
combination of intrigue and comedy. It is alive with action, laughter and mental
challenges you just won’t believe.
As one of his client’s confirmed ‘The content and balance of your programme was
judged to perfection, the mix keeping everybody alert. Had you chosen to
entertain until breakfast the audience would have remained totally entranced’.
Mel Mellers is just one bundle of fun. You will love him.
‘Magic in the Corporate World’ is the title of the lecture to be given by
Bill Herz. It is a lecture that will be immediately followed by a
practical workshop. Bill is probably the most successful performing magician and
Agent in magic booking all the great magicians including David Copperfield,
Lance Burton, Mac King and many others for his numerous corporate clients.
At the age of 5 when most children were reading comic books, Bill was learning
to shuffle a pack of cards with one hand. His distinctive mix of comedy and
magic has been applauded throughout the North American, European and Asian
continents. As a theatrical consultant Bill designs and creates special effects
for Broadway shows, major motion pictures and television commercials.
Bill’s performances are always custom-tailored to the particular audience, his
slick sleight of hand integrating audience participation, humour and
unforgettable wizardry are what ensures every event is truly special.
As George Ort of the AT&T Telecommunications Corporation says of Bill ‘You are a
fabulous magician and entertainer. Your ability to charm, surprise, and
overwhelm the audience with your magic is without equal. It is no wonder that
everyone present now wants to know how to get in touch with you’.
Bill Herz’s lecture and workshop will be hugely valuable to every working
magician.
Our Executive Producer of the Convention Paul
Stone has been hard at it arranging a galaxy of so many Stars of Magic to
come and perform and lecture at Eastbourne in September. Here are four of those
Stars who for the very first time appear at a British Ring Convention. So we are
pleased to welcome, from the United States, Michael Weber, Jon
Armstrong, Jason Byrne and Oscar Munoz.
Michael Weber is just a phenomenal magician and one of the most sought
after talents on the corporate circuit across the USA. He is a terrific
lecturer, close-up and stage performer. For more than two decades Michael has
been creating and performing his own remarkable style of entertainment and has
demonstrated his amazing talents throughout the United States, Western Europe,
South America and the Far East.
What must it feel like to meet someone face to face who has the ability to
determine your thoughts? Concentrate on a word, an idea, any number or image and
Michael is able entertainingly to capture that thought with almost scientific
precision. With style, wit, charm and absolute discretion, Michael utilizes
these thoughts to create entertaining and mind shattering results.
He has performed for two U.S. Presidents. His style and originality has made him
the personal performer for a host of celebrities like Arnold Schwartzeneger,
Sharon Stone, Frank Sinatra, Steven Spielberg and Johnny Carson for their own
private events.
Michael is the author of a book ‘Life Savers’. It is a collection of techniques
and routines that can be performed with ordinary materials, ingredients to
particular locations. These routines can be quickly improvised in a variety of
location (the office, restaurants, bars or a friend’s home).
It is a real coup for us to be able to get Michael Weber to Eastbourne.
Jon Armstrong grew up in Orlando Florida becoming fascinated by the magic
he saw in the theme parks around him and dreamt of having his own show. His
dream came true when Disney asked him to bring his act to Epcot where he became
the resident magician at Walt Disney World. He was just 20. After spending 5
years there, Las Vegas called and found Jon on a semi-regular basis inside the
Secret Pagoda at Caesar’s Magical Empire. He is also a frequent performer at the
famous Magic Castle and was named Close-up Magician of the Year by The Academy
of Magical Arts in 2007.
Using an amazing blend of dynamic personality and imaginative presentation, he
brings wonder to all who experience him. By combining card magic, humour and
audience participation Jon will keep you laughing and well entertained and
making the unexpected happen.
The magicians who have seen Jon Armstrong perform on his two visits to this
country confirm his work is awe-inspiring as they watched in disbelief. You too
will be awe struck when Jon performs for you.
Jason Byrne (magazine photo above) was born in Fribourg Switzerland but
has spent most of his life in the USA. From the age of 6, when he first became
fascinated with magic, Jason was destined to become a world-class performer.
Jason started his show business career by becoming a regular performer at local
Dinner Theatres, Wizardz – The Comedy and Magic Club and the Magic Castle. His
style and approach impressed a producer Gary Ouellette that led him to perform
on NBC’s ‘Worlds Greatest Magic’ to be followed by Fox’s ‘Magic on the Edge’.
Jason has earned several major distinctions including the Golden Lions Head
Award presented by those magical legends Siegfried and Roy. Then for two years
in succession he was voted Stage Magician of the Year by The Academy of Magical
Arts.
Around the world Jason has performed at the Lido in Paris, the Wintergarten in
Berlin and the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo. He is no stranger to Las Vegas
having appeared in such Revue Shows as ‘Splash’ at the Riviera and ‘Folies
Bergeres’ at the Tropicana. He is currently performing twice nightly at ‘V’- The
Ultimate Variety Show at the Venetian and Planet Hollywood.
We await with great excitement the chance of seeing his ‘Post Modern’ magic act
in the main Gala Show, when he will be joined by other top class acts. Not only
is Eastbourne Jason Byrne’s debut at a British Ring Convention, it is his first
UK appearance.
Oscar Munoz is an award illusionist and humorist with a powerful message
in his act. Throughout the United States, Mexico and the Far East he has
presented his brand of comedy magic to the delight of adults and children of all
ages.
Renowned as a motivational speaker with over 15 years experience Oscar uses his
brand of magic as a vehicle to transport his audience to a world of wonderment
and empowerment. In his home state of Texas he is known as a leading specialist
in the field of motivational presentations. He was the hit of last year’s
Abbott’s Convention.
Be prepared for something different when Oscar Munoz lectures and
performs.
So here you have brief bio graphs of just four of the 34 headliners who will be
making Eastbourne 2008 the finest Convention the British Ring has ever
presented. It is no idle boast of ours that we don’t believe that there is
another Convention in the world that compares with the line-up we are assembling
and value for money for what we are offering. So if you haven’t made a
registration, DO IT NOW! Our Registration Officer Neville Johnson is waiting to
receive your application. Get in touch with him immediately by telephone on
01202 873234 or by e.mail:
nevillejohnson25@aol.com or of course you can always use the Payments Page
on this website.
www.britishring.org.uk
Bob Hayden, British Ring PRO, June 2008