The Scott: Hi Peter, I was just wondering, how did you start off doing stage shows, and how old were you when you started? I read your biography on your site, and saw you were doing Children parties. What sort of effects would you be performing at these venues?

Peter: Kevin, I answered the first part of your question already under the topic "How did you become a working pro?" As far as children shows, I don't perform them anymore, but when I did do children’s parties I had nice little dove act, mixed with a lot of the classics of children’s magic including, Forgetful Freddie, The colouring book, what’s next, Guillotine, Hippity Hop rabbits, Topsy Turvy bottles, etc.

Sean: (quoting Peter) “I have hurt my back a couple of times performing the straight jacket escape involved in the illusion.”  As you probably hurt yourself often, and a lot of your illusions could be very dangerous, how important is insurance to you personally and indeed any professional magician?

Dale: Public Liability insurance isn’t just important to the working pro. If you do magic for more than a couple of people, more than a couple of times a year, it is well worth thinking about it. just think of the effects you use that involves a borrowed item. Some liquids stain, and god forbid the day the finger chopper fails to not cut.

Peter: I couldn't have said better myself, Thanks Dale.

Admin: I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through the posts in this forum over the past one week. This forum is the forum at which I start when I visit these boards each evening and it is here that I have learnt so much. May I thank Peter for his input over the past seven days and warn our regular members that Peter's time will soon be drawing to a close. If you do have any burning questions or comments, please post them before the weekend draws in so that we can allow Peter the time to compose a reply before his departure. Thank you very much.

Sean: During your career you have undoubtedly performed many large and exciting illusions, but I'm sure there were some boundaries, be they monetary or otherwise, as to what you could perform.  If you could perform any trick/illusion in the entire world, what would it be?  Money wouldn't be an issue and even if you had no experience, you could perform it flawlessly. Mine would probably have to be David Copperfield's flying illusion. What would yours be?

Peter: Well if it had to be an illusion that already exists and not one that I have created or would create, hmmm, I think I would like to perform David Copperfield's cutting a girl in half-The vertical cut! Best sawing in half illusion I ever saw. I even liked it better than his Death Saw!

Andy D.: Peter…My wife wanted to ask a question, she is not officially a Member of Magic Bunny, but 'hey' her husband is a Moderator so I do as I am told!  She wanted me to ask you how many 'shows' you do on average. Over a year?

Peter: It varies, magic is very seasonal. I do a short 16 show tour (Master of Illusions Tour) every year at the beginning of September for two months, surrounding southern Ontario Canada, and northern states. I usually do 1-3 'out of Country' shows in a year, that usually find me at a resort, such as the Cassa Marina Reef in the Dominican, or at the Sheridan in Fort Lauderdale for example. From Oct 31 to January 1st I hit my Corporate clients. January and February are usually our slow time averaging only one show a week. March thru to spring I hit fairs, schools, colleges and trade shows. Summer time I hit fairs, theme parks and corporate clients. I usually average around 75-100 shows in one year mixed with an average of 2-3 television spots. All the time trying to run our new Illusion building company called L2ILLUSIONS which seems to take up the rest of my spare time. Good thing I don't have kids yet. But someday hopefully! I have a very understanding girlfriend.

Admin: May I offer a hearty thank you to Peter for his excellent input into this forum for the past week. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the varied questions and the subsequent replies of Peter. I know that I have picked up so much from reading these and I am truly thankful for the time that Peter has set aside from his busy work schedule in coming to Magic Bunny and providing this input. Peter, you are a man of great insight and experience and I know how much this has assisted our members. I would like to offer you the very small token of the permanent gift of the "Special Guest" descriptor by your name so that it may be a permanent record of the input that you have provided and the combined thanks of all the members at this board. Wishing you all the very best for your career within magic and your future prosperity and success. Thank you also to the members who have supported these forums and have offered such a varied and thought-provoking series of questions. This has accumulated to produce an excellent discussion and I shall enjoy the opportunity of seeing these edited and online at our "Special Guest" link. Thank you all so much.

Rich: I must extend our thanks to Peter - this has been a most enjoyable time for us, thank you for attending this session with us, and I hope you will continue to share your knowledge and experience with us. Wishing you all the best in magic.

The Scott: It has been a very interesting interview. I learnt alot of new ideas and picked up a few excellent tips! Thanks Peter!

Andy D.: I would like to 'second' everything Admin wrote. And also say a big thank you for the prizes you donated (and not just because I won something). It has been a pleasure having you!

Sean: Thanks a lot Peter.  And it was very generous of you to give those prizes away.  And you know, the door is always open here, so you're welcome back anytime!

Mike: Well, what more can I add, Peter? If you're ever in my area, within, say, a 4 - 5 hour drive, just say the word and I'll buy you a beer (I, of course, will do the traveling!). Thank you again, Peter, for you wonderful insights and sharing them so freely with all of us.

Peter: Thanks for Having me everyone! When I first agreed to do this I was unsure of what to expect, but I was most impressed with the well thought out questions everyone had for me here. I tried my best to answer them to the best of my ability. Tom Cutts was right..."these guys are great here"... I also enjoyed the little contest I threw out there and was very pleased with the response. I hope a couple of you learned a little more about me while researching some of the questions. Congrats to all the winners, I will be shipping out your prizes early next week. Let me know what you think of them. Well, I guess that’s it, I will try and drop by as often as I can here at... Magic Bunny Thanks again!

Tspall: Hopefully, I'm not too late and Peter sees this (I was away this weekend)... Thanks for everything Peter, and best of luck to you! It was a pleasure talking to you. 8)

Tora: Thanks a lot Peter for sharing your marketing secrets and experiences with all these people. Last Night Nigel said that I am a lucky man for I have many good friends-like you all around the world. I DO agree with him. I am glad to have a friend like you. I am sure we will see each other again