The mind is mightier than the sword, says Pa. sword swallower
Listen
David Peyre-Ferry has been a sword swallower for three years. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
As kids, so many of us daydream about what we’ll be when we grow up, and thoughts of the circus are a classic.
When it comes to unusual occupations, our guest on today’s Recap did more than dream. Chester County resident David Peyre-Ferry, a grocery clerk by day, became a sword swallower. Fully trained in the art of ingesting a 19-inch blade, Peyre-Ferry says he’s one of just a few dozen sword swallowers in the world.
“I like to brighten people’s days,” he says. “And it’s certainly made my life more interesting.”
Once he’s prepared mentally, he says he’s ready to perform.
NewsworksTonight caught up with Peyre-Ferry at The Franklin Institute this month, at an event featuring the museum’s traveling circus exhibit, which closes this weekend.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by NewsWorks Tonight
NewsWorks Tonight
NewsWorks Tonight was a daily radio show and podcast that ran from 2011-2018. It is no longer in production, but the show's archive is available online.
