British Ring IBM Convention 2006, Part 3 (Written by Steve Evans)

Friday, September 22, 2006
It is sod’s law that the day I chose to walk into town with Sep (after breakfast) was the only day when it peed down. I got back at 12ish too late for the John Calvert Lecture so (after changing into dry clothes) I had my first real walk round the dealers before going to the Charlie Frye lecture held in the Floral Hall at 1pm.

It may have been that everyone was in the Lecture but there weren’t many people in the Dealers and it seemed that the actual number of dealers was down as well. The combined effect of these two things being that the Dealers Hall felt quite empty. This was great for me, not very good for them. On the subject of numbers I asked several people how many were at the convention but nobody seemed to know. There was a fair number when we all gathered for shows but there was always room in lectures, there was even room in the International Close-up and the day’s of having an early and late Main Gala Show are long since gone.

So my conclusion is; numbers up on last year but generally no where near the numbers we used to get 10 years ago. Which begs the question; “After 70 years will there soon come a time when the convention is no longer viable?” I sincerely hope not.

The Charlie Frye lecture was a fun hour. It was crammed with bits of physical magic / juggling that were good fun to watch and if they suit your performing style would enhance it no end. His skill level is exceptionally high though so those buying his DVDs be warned – practise is required!

I got chatting in the ice cream parlour and so didn’t go to the afternoon show but ventured across to the Congress Theatre at 4pm for the Hobson lecture which was a joy. The man has such amazing on-stage charisma that he just stands there and shines and quite frankly I could listen to him all day. He did some tricks (which were fine) but has with John Carney he concentrated on the thinking behind the tricks as well as how to routine magic so that everything is done for a reason.

After that it was once more round the dealers and back to the hotel for Tea. This was Sep’s choice because tonight it was Chicken. I wanted to go to the Fringe Banquet (basically everyone meets up at the venue and orders take away food) but I was out voted. We went down for Tea and Sep made sure that they knew she had ordered Chicken. The Head waiter said “of course Madame I have it written down here” and then promptly bought two lamb chops to the table.  After Tea we went over to the fringe as people were finishing eating and I had great joy in pointing out how many people had had Chicken and Chips!!

Fay Presto compered and the show which featured Tim Shoesmith, John Lenahan and Keith Fields, not a bad line up at all. The room had a lovely atmosphere, all the acts went well and the audience were relaxed and generally having a good old time and I would recommend the Fringe Banquet to everyone who goes to Southport next year.

The Presentation of awards preceded the Late Late Gala, I sat next to Steve Dela and he lost his cheque for third place under the seats in front and I thought that was very funny. The show was a variety bill rather than just magic which was a refreshing change. Terry Seabrook compered and first on was a modern mime called Reuben. He did two pieces, one called “Chess” and another which was a mime of a Children’s Entertainer at a Birthday Party. He was very funny and stormed it and I hope we get to see the act again.

Next were “Black Fingers” from France – a couple (who I had seen before) doing shadow puppets. The show finished with a traditional Magic act presented by Craig Christian. All in all, a nice show and it didn’t go on too long which is always a good thing. As we had already done the Fringe for the day we parted company from the stream of people heading for the Lansdowne and went back to the hotel for an early night and then realised that it was already after midnight!