Peter: I actually wanted to be an actor. I had obtained an agent when I was in my early teens and I joined A.C.T.R.A. which is an elite actors union, to be accepted to this union you need 6 speaking parts on camera. This was very hard for me, but I guess I was just in the right place at the right time. I did a few commercials and then I auditioned for a tv series called Class of 96 which was on FOX. The show was directed by Peter Horton (formerly of 30 something and Michelle Phiefer’s ex husband) and also starred Jason Gedrick (Iron Eagle, Murder One) and I was able to obtain the rest of the speaking credits I needed to join A.C.T.R.A. After that roles started coming in quite regularly, I starred in an HBO movie entitled 'The Truth' I co-starred in a Soap for one season and had tons of little speaking roles in other tv shows and movies. I gave up acting, and took all the money I made from it to pursue my interests in magic more seriously. Although I had already been into magic since I was a little boy, I now had the financial support to produce my own full scale illusion show. But if I couldn't be an actor or magician, I would have to say a radio DJ.

Mister Toad: Thank you for your reply Peter. This may make you laugh, but I used to be a disc jockey, far back in my youth! What genre of music interests you?

Peter: I love all types of music from the past to the present. You used to DJ huh? Was it for radio, or like a night club or something?

Mister Toad: When I was a student at The University of York I was heavily into charity work and I used to DJ discos for C.A.P. (Community Action Projects) I had a simple style - there was no voicing. I simply would dub the records one into the other. Much harder than it seemed, using just two record decks! Even today, when I listen to the radio, I get frustrated by the long interludes between records filled with idle gossip by the DJ. The time of all this was the 1980's and I was heavily into the New Romantic style. Despite my passing years, I still remember fondly the band, "Heaven 17" - I would always endeavor to include at least one of their records at every gig.

Tora: Peter what about magic musicals ? What is your opinion about them and have you tried one before ?

Peter: That’s funny, I did do a lot live theatre when I was younger, and was casted in a musical called 'The Trash Pickers' that featured a magician in the script. Funny thing was I was cast for a completely different part even though they knew I was a magician by trade. I was unable to hit the high notes demanded by one of the songs that the magician character had to sing solo. However, I did supply all the magic props and coached the magic to the actor who won the part.

Tora: Peter, I have to confess that I knew that... For that reason I asked about it. You told me yourself about it in one evening when we used to chat with Ichazod and Tom.

Andy D.: Hi Peter Is Peter Loughran your real name? I would suspect it is, so my question is.............have you ever thought about a 'change', and if so what did you come up with? By the way, 'Peter the Great' has already been taken!

Peter: Yes Loughran is my real name. I personally wanted to change my name to Peter Lockran, or Peter Locke. So that people would be able to pronounce it easier. My agent got word of this and begged me not to change it. He said I had a great Irish name, and Irish names were very well respected in the entertainment industry and would only benefit me. He said the only name better in the entertainment industry was a Jewish one. So I decided to keep it, and I’m glad I did. Unfortunately its not always what you know but who you know. However I have to admit when I go to a restaurant and leave my name with the hostess at the front door, I always spell my name Lockran so that they will pronounce is properly when the call my name to seat me.

John M.: Just a quick question- do you have a lot of Irish connections?  I have a friend called "Somhairle Loughran" now 'Somhairle' is the most unique name I’ve ever heard!!

Peter: Most of my relatives live in England actually, but I don't know anyone named Somhairle that is a unique name. I do have an uncle that lives in England who is also named Peter. So if you ever meet another Peter Loughran there chances are that’s my uncle.

Tora: Peter your agent is right. Maybe it is a little bit harder to pronounce your surname but once you learn it-thanks to the effort yopu spent- you never forget it. Nevertheless, there is no name alike or homophone as far as I know.

Andy D.: Hey Peter! What’s the story with this handsome fella? And I am talking about the one with the furry ears! (Picture here: http://www.masterofillusions.ca/Scan1.JPG)

Peter: This is Congo, The daughter of the famous movie Lion Bongo. Bongo the Lion recently died from natural causes. Bongo has appeared in tv shows, commercials and movies such as "The ghost and the Darkness"(with Val Kilmer), and 'Jumanji' (with Robin Williams) You can see a picture of Bongo in the back ground in a picture on the wall. We use Congo once in a while in some of our bigger shows. The Owners who have about a 2 dozen exotic cats, and also own a small zoo, are really good friends of the family. The owners recently joined up with a reclamation foundation in South Africa and last year they released some rare baby tigers they have raised, into the wild to help the endangered species of that particular race of tiger. Which has been very successful to date. Pretty cool eh?

Tora: If I were you I would make a video production by using the handsome baby. He may not be so sweet when she grows up. Nice discovery indeed.