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72nd British Ring IBM Convention
24th - 28th September 2008, Eastbourne
Update 10, 16th August 2008.
Bob Hayden, British Ring PRO
Those of you who take American magic
magazines will be familiar with the name of Denny Haney. He’s the one who
advertises on the back covers the magic wares of Denny and Lee. They are among
the largest magical dealers in the USA whose shops can be found in Baltimore and
Las Vegas. Denny is very much in the mould of Edwin Hopper of Supreme Magic who
sadly is longer with us. Both, before becoming successful magical dealers,
enjoyed careers in performing magic. However unlike Edwin Denny was a
vaudevillian and still looks like one with his puckish fun filled face, it being
suggested he looks a little like that old time comedian Max Wall. His fun
advertisements completely capture his personality.
Denny Haney is a strong performer who concentrates on the classics. What can be
described as his ‘party piece’ is the Multiplying Martini Bottles. Because this
effect has for so long been associated with Tommy Cooper, its popularity with a
large number of magicians has been lost. You will find, after seeing Denny’s
presentation, that with the application of skill and thought, this classic can
still be a hit in any show. No doubt you will notice how the influence of Ken
Brooke’s routine shines through in Denny’s presentation. This is not surprising
since it was Ken who sold him his original set of bottles at the same time
giving him a tutorial on it’s working. This happened when Denny, a Vietnam war
veteran, took a leave in London and paid a visit to Ken’s studio. We predict
that after watching Denny perform this first-rate trick a whole host of
Multiplying Martini Bottles, instead of laying dormant on the shelves of many
magicians, will be coming out of retirement and given a new lease of life.
Paul Shone describes Denny Haney as a respected performer, dealer and all round
‘magical nut’. If he is, as we have suggested, in the mould of Edwin we know
what we can expect!
Mark Mitton probably is a name not known to many British magicians. He
was born in Moncton New Brunswick Canada, grew up in Superior Wisconsin and now
lives in New York. He has trained with the greatest masters of magic and comedy
and has worked around the world for 25 years creating customized and magical
presentations that make corporate and private events meaningful and memorable.
His strength is his ability to get a crowd going and to provide the right
magical touch, in the right place at the right time. His clients like Pepsi Co
and AT&T keep coming back to Mark for his astonishing sleight-of-hand, his
hilarious humour and his easy going style that enchants and dazzles audiences.
He also holds an Economics degree from Haverford College.
This is Mark Mitton’s first appearance at a British Ring Convention.
The British Ring is fortunate having among its members those who are willing to
step into the breech whenever a crisis arises. One of these is Steve Evans.
Bryan Atherton, after suffering poor health just before Christmas last year,
felt it better if the responsibility of organising the Close-up Competition and
International Close-up Gala at the Convention were passed to another. To
undertake this important role he recommended to the Committee Steve Evans, who
had expressed a willingness to do so. It was a recommendation that was
gratefully accepted. There we are pleased to report that Bryan has now regained
his health and will be on hand to provide valuable help.
Those of you outside the Midlands may not know Steve. He became a member of the
British Ring in 1992 and attended its Convention the same year. The following
year he joined the British Magical Society and has to date won their annual
Close-up Competition twice and is the only member to win their Stage competition
on four occasions. He also is a member of the Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians
winning their close-up Trophy three times and serving as their President on two
occasions.
What motivated Steve to become involved in the Convention? Quite simply he would
rather be a doer than a watcher. This he was able to do when Bryan Atherton (who
is a fellow member WCM and BMS member and a close friend of Steve’s) took over
the running of the Close-up Competition and International Close-up Gala. He came
on board as a member of the support team working through the ranks from Runner
to Room Host. Last year he stepped in at the last moment to run the
International Close-up when Bryan was laid low with a damaged ankle, it being
emphasized the accident was in no way alcohol related. It is a comfort to know
that both events Steve is organising are in capable hands.
Steve works as a professional magician covering the range of Close-up, Cabaret
and Children’s Magic, his interest in magic initialling growing from working on
the Comedy Club Circuit. Two years ago he competed in the Close-up competition
and has participated in the Fringe Events organised by Fay Presto.
It is not only the Close-up events that Steve will be involved with. He will
also be hosting the Shield Competition and is introducing an innovation into the
show, a running theme in the form of a joke competition. He is asking for
members to submit to him the sort of jokes you would hear in a pub, are told at
work or you have received by text. They need to be short and not used in your
(or anyone else’s) act. Throughout the competition he will read your jokes and
the one the audience likes the most will win a prize (donated by Keith Bennett)
plus a trophy. It will be a bit of fun and another chance for you all to be
involved. Please e.mail your jokes to
Stevemagicbloke@aol.com or by text to 07900 191958. You can submit them by
post to Steve Evans, 22 Fallings Lane, Wolverhampton WV10 8BH
There is still time to register for the Convention. Hundreds of you have already
done so. What is stopping you from joining them? For this is the Convention
where not only do you see spectacular magic, learn from world-class lecturers
but yet have time to socialise with your fellow magicians. So get in touch with
the Registration Officer Neville Johnson by phone on 01202 873234, by e.mail at
nevillejohnson25@aol.com or by
using the Payments page on this website:
www.britishring.org.uk.
Bob Hayden, British Ring PRO, August 2008