Hayashi is a very skilled card and coin worker that is making the transition to mentalism following his appearance on the recent Uri Geller show. He started by showing a very visual sequence using jumbo coins and moved into his ten phase FISM matrix routine. He then explained the first three phases. To complete the coin section Hayashi explained some of his coin vanishes including the butterfly vanish and some touches on the JW grip.

Hayashi then performed his version of the Slydini paper balls over the head. He finished the lecture with some mentalism.

His version of Max Mavens Positive Negative got rid of the ambiguity and had some great touches on the magicians choice.

Finally mental card magic, a déjà vu sequence with a thought of card in glass, a card elimination sequence where the spectator eliminated all the cards but the chosen one and a very clean looking version of the 21 card trick dressed up to look like a mental stop trick.

We’ll be updating our pool of Photos during the week

You can also follow all the updates on The British Ring Convention

Paul Ray compered the opening show and opened with a rope trick which incorporated lots of impressions. He then introduced the opening spot of Mark Shortland a great gag with a ball was followed by giant card manipulation, scissors through jacket, a burnt bill routine and finally the reproduction of the bill from a gum ball machine.

Jonathan Shotton performed the act that won him last years shield competition with timepieces, clocks and watches, and the finale of silk fountain and production of a giant cage complete with flapping bird.

The last act was Sean Heydon. He is the resident magician on the Paul OGrady show. He opened with a giant cups and balls using buckets and a live assistants head with the kicker that the assistant under the table changes from a female to a male. The Rickety Tower of Death was a huge contraption that hoisted Sean up by his legs whilst he was locked into a straight jacket and had to escape and find a chosen card before electric knifes cut through the rope dropping him onto sharp butter knives! Lastly Sean made a napkin rose as a souvenir for his volunteer intimating he was going to do the Kevin James routine however instead of the rose levitating Sean took off and rose in the air. This brought the opening show to a finish and marked the opening of the convention.

If you cannot attend the IBM British Ring Convention that starts tomorrow, you can keep up with whats happening by following the reports of our live writer Rich Morrell right here.

As with last years IBM British Ring Convention, Rich will be updating us on all the events, follow our updates on Twitter, or check back here for all the updates.

You can see photos from the convention from the 23rd at the top of the front page. Please support the British Ring by visiting www.britishring.org.uk, and support us by visiting and ordering from our sponsors, and our advertisers.

We will be providing more information during the run up to the convention, A guide is now up detailing where the HQ hotel and convention center is, along with hotel booking and local information. We will also be working closely with The British Ring to help make Southport 2009 a success.

If you are not entered into the Ali Bongo Micro Magic Marathon at the IBM British Ring Convention next week, you can still have a change of heart and enter.

Viv Davies would still be pleased to hear from you on 029 2079 2789 or by email at Mysteeny@btinternet.com

We will be providing more information during the run up to the convention, A guide is now up detailing where the HQ hotel and convention center is, along with hotel booking and local information. We will also be working closely with The British Ring to help make Southport 2009 a success.

Don’t forget that you can attend the Fringe event at IBM Southport. Fay Presto is putting on nightly late night shows independent of the British Ring in the Southport Arts theatre in Lord Street (you can see the location on our map for Southport marked with the theatre ‘happy/sad’ masks)

The show is free for all conventioneers to attend, and there is even the Fringe Banquet on Friday evening where you order your own takeaway food have it delivered to the centre, eat it and watch the cabaret at the same time.

The British Ring Convention, takes place this September 23rd - 27th 2009, full details and booking can be found at The British Ring site. We will be providing more information during the run up to the convention, A guide is now available detailing where the HQ hotel and convention center is, along with hotel booking and local information. We will also be working closely with The British Ring to help make Southport 2009 a success.