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I.B.M. British Ring
Convention 2026
19 & 20 September 2026
Buxton Pavilion Arts Centre & Opera House · Derbyshire
Join magicians from across the world for two days of world-class performance, lectures, competitions and the Gala Show.
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19–20 September 2026
Draft Schedule
This will be a very full two-day event packed with shows, competitions and lectures — those thinking of leaving early on Sunday will miss a lot! The schedule below is provisional and subject to change.
Evening
Ali Bongo Micro Marathon
Performers meet at 7.30pm. Let Rick Tynan know if you’d like to take part — his contact details are on the inside cover of the Key Ring.
📍 The Old Club HouseMorning
Opening & John Kimmons Lecture
Followed by the Stage Competition.
📍 Pavilion Arts Centre & Opera HouseAfternoon
Jeffery Atkins Memorial Lecture
A Conversation with Andrew O’Connor.
📍 Pavilion Arts CentreEvening
The Gala Show
Compered by Michael Carr, with Andrew Van Buren and Allyson, Richard Cadell and Sooty, John Kimmons, Matricks Illusion, Jason Michaels, and Nikolai Striebel. A Late Night Event follows in the Old Club House.
📍 Opera HouseMorning
History of Mystery
With Brian Lead (Vintage Ventriloquism) and Roy Field (Bewildering Buxton), plus a Youth Workshop.
📍 Pavilion Arts CentreAfternoon
Youth Show & Chris Wardle Tribute Show
The Youth Show at 1:30pm features Lena Poole, Thea Petty, Emma Williams, Ryland Petty and Harry Williams. The Chris Wardle Tribute Show is hosted by Geoffrey Durham, with Richard Cadell and Sooty, Alan Maskell, JezO, Philip Partridge and Rick Tynan. Also lectures, awards, and the Installation of the new President.
📍 Pavilion Arts CentreEvening
Fritz with a Z
One Man Show.
📍 Pavilion Arts CentreDealers will be open until 6pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. Timings of lectures by Jason Michaels, James Ward and Alex Jesson are to be confirmed.
Sunday 20 September · 1:30pm · Buxton Pavilion Arts Centre
Youth Show
We are so excited to have the magicians of the future performing in their very own show! Our young magicians for the show are Lena Poole, Thea Petty, Emma Williams, Ryland Petty and Harry Williams.
The Youth Show takes place on Sunday 20 September at 1:30pm at Buxton Pavilion Arts Centre, and entry is included with registration for the Convention.
Book Convention Tickets →Sunday Afternoon · Buxton Pavilion Arts Centre
Chris Wardle Tribute Show
An important part of The I.B.M. British Ring Convention will be a Tribute Show in memory of Chris Wardle who was, in the words of Host Geoffrey Durham, ‘a uniquely talented magician with an astounding facility for magical invention.’
Geoffrey will introduce fellow magicians Richard Cadell and Sooty, Alan Maskell, JezO, Philip Partridge and Rick Tynan, who will share their memories of Chris and his magic and perform some of his excellent effects and routines.
Entry to this event is included with registration for the Convention, 19 and 20 September, at Buxton Pavilion Arts Centre.
Book Convention Tickets →Closing Event · Sunday 20 September, 8pm
Fritz with a Z: Solo Show
Fritz with a Z will be performing his Solo Show at The Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton, at 8pm on Sunday 20 September, the closing event of The I.B.M. British Ring Convention.
Presented as a reverse autobiography told through comedy, magic and improvisation, the audience travels backwards through his life — from polished comedy magic to childhood wonder — watching Fritz slowly “unbecome” a magician in a theatrical, funny, and surprising variety show.
With performances at the invite-only Magic Castle in Hollywood and the Magic Circle in London under his belt, this award-winning conjuror is the first Dutch magician who has performed on six continents.
Be prepared to get your magical funny bone tickled!
Tickets for the show are included with a Full Convention Registration. Fritz with a Z show tickets can also be purchased directly from The Opera House, Buxton at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01298 72190.
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Book Now
Tickets are on sale now for both days of the convention. Day tickets are available at a reduced rate — a Saturday day ticket does not include the Gala Show, which can be booked separately at the box office.
Since 1931
Previous Conventions
| Year | Location | Brochure |
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Click a brochure link to download the programme for that year.
Eight Decades of Competition
Previous Winners
From the first Close-up Trophy in 1958 to this year's stage spectaculars — every name etched into the British Ring's competition history, all in one place.
From the Archives
Nostalgia
Scanned brochures, bulletins and newspaper cuttings rescued from conventions long past — a glimpse of the British Ring in decades gone by.
Click an image to view the full scan.