One of the highlights for many people at previous IBM conventions in Southport has been the fringe. There’s been much discussion on this over the last few months, and its very exciting to hear that the fringe will be returning this year.

The fringe is essentially a series of additional free shows organised and financed by Fay Presto. This year Fay has received some commercial sponsorship from the dealers Magic Cave.

The Fringe is completely independent of the British Ring. It features a selection of magicians performing real world magic. Fay takes a lot of trouble to create good atmosphere, with the audience sat around cabaret style tables and she usually manages to round up some normal people to give the performers a real audience.

If the formal convention banquet isn’t your thing, you might like the fringe banquet. For this, you order your choice of takeaway food to be delivered to the venue, eat it and then enjoy the cabaret. Formal dress is optional, but our top tip is to wear black tie, as this will fool the stewards into letting you sit in the better seats for the late show!

We will be providing more information during the run up to the convention, A guide will be going up soon detailing where the HQ hotel and convention center is, along with hotel booking and local information.