Reveen recognized
by Fantasma Ring 257
By Bobby Warren

Peter Reveen was honored as Magician of the Year by the International Brotherhood of Magicians Fantasma Ring 257 at a gala December 7, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Fantasma Ring has sponsored a Magician of the Year Gala for the past five years, and Peter Reveen joined an impressive list of performers, which includes Johnny Thompson, Carl Ballantine, Norm Nielsen, John Calvert and Marvyn Roy.

(Read More, see special poster and video)

Peter and Coral Reveen, and their son, Ty Reveen, spoke with the I.B.M. before the gala. Here is what they said:

“At this time in my life, I am very happy they are doing this,” Peter said. “I feel very, very honored. If magicians want to do this for me, it is very nice.” He added he did not think there was any nicer honor than to be recognized by his colleagues. “It's worthwhile to be around for awhile; some of our friends seem to enjoy it.”

“I am very happy, proud, surprised,” Coral said. “It's very nice of them to do that.”

Magic was a hobby of Peter's when he was a child, and it ultimately became his profession. He began performing shows in his native Australia, and he eventually settled in British Columbia, Canada. He always performed a clean show, and he believes it was part of the reason he became a successful, touring magician and hypnotist. “When you do a clean show, everyone can enjoy it,” he said.

While touring Australia, where he met Coral, he learned how to perform fast. When he had a show at a fairgrounds, they wanted him on then off the stage quickly. He also learned not to take himself too seriously. On one of the posters he used to promote the show, he was billed as “Reveen: The Star of Magic.” A showman said, “Star of magic, huh? Kid, if you want to make it, remember 'star' is 'rats' spelled backward.”

“It was a good lesson to learn when I went into the big time,” Peter said. “It stops you from getting a big head.”

Through the years, Peter went from the Star of Magic to the Master of Magic and, finally, to The Impossibilist. He came up with the title after he began to tour and had become a stronger and stronger performer.

Ty Reveen said he appreciates the I.B.M. Fantasma Ring for recognizing his father's contributions to the world of magic. His father's mental capabilities, with his photographic memory, and his hypnotic presentations were a powerful combination, Ty said.

As for his father's greatest contribution to magic, Ty said he believes it was his dedication to excellence, his honesty and his integrity, which helped him become a successful manager for Lance Burton.

For more information about Peter Reveen, check out his official Web site here and Robert Lamar's tribute to his friend here.

Here is Peter and Coral Reveen and their sons performing the Zig Zag illusion on the Merv Griffin show:

Here is a Peter Reveen commercial: