‘Misdirection’ – Peter Turner
This was the fourth visit from Peter, but those members who’ve had the pleasure of seeing him before knew that he would still baffle everyone in the audience with his amazing tricks.
This time, there was an intriguing twist to his presentation.
In addition to confounding even the most attentive watcher with his sleight of hand, whilst furnishing a fascinating explanation of the psychological ploys he uses, Peter gave us an insight into his own journey as a working practitioner of the art of misdirection.
He told us of his work as ‘Mr Ree’ – frequently at weddings where he cunningly surveys and works the room. However, Peter pointed out that not all supposedly joyful events are as might be expected, and he gave some examples of the ways in which he tries to achieve a balance in his personal life to accommodate the pressures of his working life. As well as the parties, the cruise ship life and glamour of the role of Mr Ree, Peter also works as a funeral celebrant and has written his thoughts on the very different aspects of that role in his latest book.
Ending this talk, which was full of his usual wit and warmth, Peter bamboozled us with one last trick and tantalised us with promises of yet more to come in future.
