Michael Jay: I'd like to thank you again for taking your time here with us, Peter. The questions that I have may be considered controversial, but, for me, that's what this is all about.

Being an American, I wasn't able to watch the show, "Monkey Magic," however, I did follow the commentary on it closely. There seemed to be a 50-50 split over whether the show was good or bad and whether or not it advanced our art as magicians. It was pointed out that Terry Seabrooke specifically called it, "Damaging to magic."

Do you feel that "Monkey Magic" accomplished what you wanted it to accomplish? If you could go back and do it again, is there anything that you'd have done differently? Do you feel that the detractors of that show had any basis in their complaints? Will the show run a second season, or is this pretty much the end of it? How did the show fare in the ratings? Lastly, do you feel that the show helped or hindered your carreer?

Mike.

Peter: Michael,

I can only say that it was fascinating to 'lurk' on the internet and read folks responses and reactions as the first series of Monkey Magic went out. However It would also be honest to say that it had very little effect on my personal attitude whether magicians in general particularly liked or disliked the show.

That doesn't mean I don't care about other peoples opinion but I tend to trust the views of a small select group of friends who have proved their opinion can be trusted over time.

You mentioned Terry Seabrooke specifically and I would only comment that much as I admire what he may have achieved in the past, Terry's comments are born out of a different experience of magic and entertainment.

As with any show of course there are things you would like to go back and change but I doubt they are any of the issues that folk raised on the internet I am extremely proud of Monkey Magic and definitely consider it to be a success. Ratings wise it did very well for a first time 'speciality' programme and the folk at five were very pleased indeed.

Their belief in the programme is reflected in the fact that we were chosen to present the current series 'Greatest Magic Tricks in the Universe... ever" and it has been heavily branded as a Monkey Magic production. Not only that but we are well in to the planning stages for the second series of Monkey Magic and the aim is to start production early in 2004.

Already there are other shows being produced based on the MM format so I guess from a purely TV magic point of view it would be hard to describe us as 'damaging to magic'. If your idea of 'real' magic is to sit and do card flourishes ad infinitum or dress in victorian garb and produce doves for no apparent reason then we may not be your cup of tea. However if you are looking for 'real' people doing amazing and funny stuff then we might be able to help!

All the best

Peter Mc

Daleshrimpton: Hi Pete,

If possible, can you make sure that the next series of monkey magic goes out at a time i'm not down the pub?

B .t.w, thought the vanish of the kids last night , was the funniest things i have ever seen. Congrats to who ever came up with that one!!

Dale

Peter: Dale,

As far as I can see you have two choices possibly three (but only if we count not going to the pub anymore ) The first choice and by far the best is to persuade your local cheery landlord to buy a widescreen TV and play Monkey Magic whilst you are at the pub, the second of course is to use what we technical folk call a video

Peter Mc

PS. Glad you enjoyed the crushing of the Stage school choir, a combination of my desire to use a tank in the show and Colonels enjoyment of hurting small children!

Timnicebutdim: I have often been bamboozled by the magic you and the team come up with during the series of 'Monkey Magic'. It is truly origional, and have often wonderd how long it takes on average to come up with an idea, play around with it until it works, practise and then finally perform it, so (supringly) that is my question!
Thank you for taking the time out, greatly appreciated

Peter: How long is a piece of string?? It's impossible to say how long it takes to come up with an idea, develop it and then turn it into a performance piece.

What I can say is that sometimes the ideas come thick and fast and sometimes they grind out like pulling teeth! We tend to come up with ideas on our own or in pairs then get toggether as a group and pitch them. This can be a really painful process as it's hard to hear your great idea pulled to pieces by barbarians

Often an idea will go through several changes of presentation before we decide on a final version, even then it has to pass the channel five folk and the broadcast rules and regulations which can be tough at times!

So perhaps the simple answer is "a lot longer than you might think!"

Peter Mc

Thank you for answering! - but another small question has popped to mind, what is the longest time the team has spent putting an effect together? From the idea to the actual performance, I'm guessing it certainly would be months!

Peter Mc