The
80th IBM British Ring Convention held in Buxton from 8th – 11th
September 2016 was buzzing throughout the four days, even from the
informal night before get together. Granted, there was neither stage nor
close-up competition this year, but we are living in changing times.
Busy life styles and falling numbers of stage venues for performing all
possibly contribute to these missing events.
The spaces left were turned to advantage with other equally popular
goings on, so there was still plenty to see and do. The afternoon
opening show by Norvil and Josephine had just the right balance of
magic, music, song, dance, acrobatics and melodrama to fit nicely into
their allotted slot. Opening show over and we were off. The evening
continued with a show from the Northern Magic Circle who celebrated
their sixty years of existence as we celebrated our eightieth
convention. Steering the ship on this occasion was Brian Lead, with what
appeared to be his endless list of puns. The show had many forms of
magic on offer including manipulation, mind reading, general patter and
even a ‘performing flea’.
The Friday traditional convention Gala Dinner was well supported but for
others where this is not their scene, Bob and Sue Hamilton presented
Nostalgia in the Opera House. Later in the evening both sides united
for the Late Gala where the comedy, skills and magic from Paul Ray, Tim
Bat, Quentin Reynolds and Keith Fields will be remembered for a long
time.
Show wise Saturday brought, in the morning The Sooty Show very
successfully performing to a large and excited audience, the evening
Gala Show brought in acts from not only the UK but also Holland,
Germany, Hungary, Spain, USA and Ukraine. This has been considered by
many to be one of the best convention highlights of the last few years.
Mix all this with some fine lectures, The History of Mystery, Balloon
Workshop and opportunity to see the dealers, and you had a finely
balanced convention favourably commented on by most.
On Sunday afternoon 11th September Clive Moore was installed as
President and he with his lady Jean Ellison look forward to officiating
over the next convention being held from 7th – 10th September 2017 at
The Beacon Centre in Greenock – 25 miles west of Glasgow. It is a very
long time since a British Ring held a convention in Scotland so a return
there is long overdue. I am sure many of you want to support it. Carol
Tynan is the new Registration Officer who may be contacted via
www.facebook.com/IBM.BritishRing25 or email
ibmbritishring25reg@gmail.com.
Brian Miller and Keith Cooper had delivered what they set out to do five
years ago, to organise the next five conventions. They are now taking
retirement from this, paving the way for Moira Fletcher and her team to
take over.
Keep in touch with MagicWeek to find out what is being booked for next
year.
© Geoffrey Newton PRO, September 2016 |