When your name appears in someone's phone as "Crazy Leo," there's a story behind it. Leo Smetsers, a Dutch magical phenomenon who's been mystifying audiences for over three decades, brings his boundless energy and innovative thinking to this captivating conversation about the eight tricks he'd take to a desert island. Leo's selections reveal much about his performance philosophy, especially his signature Three Shell Game, which upends conventional wisdom by ensuring the spectator always wins. "I...
Jul 11, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 21
In this week’s episode, Nikola Arkane reveals the theatrical foundations that elevate her performances from mere tricks to captivating experiences. With a background in drama from Queen's University, Nikola brings a unique perspective to magical performance that transforms standard effects into memorable moments of wonder. At the heart of Nikola's magical journey is FizzWizzPop, her beloved children's character who discovers and solves magical problems alongside young audiences. "She was my firs...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Ever wondered who's behind the mind-blowing magic that captivates millions on Britain's Got Talent? Meet Russ Stevens, the unsung hero orchestrating magical moments for one of television's biggest shows. In this riveting conversation, Russ pulls back the curtain on his remarkable journey from reluctant collaborator to BGT's dedicated magic consultant, single-handedly revolutionising how magic is presented to mainstream audiences. With refreshing candour, Russ reveals how a show that once mocked ...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Season 2Ep. 19
This week we welcome Oliver Tabor, FISM European champion and creator of the acclaimed West End Magic show to the Alakazam Island. In this captivating conversation, Oliver reveals the eight magical effects that have defined his remarkable career – from the humble Svengali deck that first sparked his passion as a child to the massive Fabergé egg illusion that requires five flight cases to transport. Oliver's journey through magic is a masterclass in dedication and artistic integrity. Having perfo...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 2Ep. 18
What does it take to become a master mentalist? According to Looch, it's not about shortcuts, it’s about experience, dedication, and truly understanding your craft. On this episode of Desert Island Tricks, mentalism expert Looch unpacks the eight effects that have defined his remarkable career. From his ingenious use of marked cards that created magical wedding moments to his groundbreaking Frameworks Q&A system, Looch demonstrates why simplicity often trumps complexity when creating powerfu...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 52 min•Season 2Ep. 17
This week we welcome the incredible Phill Smith, one of magic's most prolific creative forces. His fingerprints are on countless books, decks, and products in the magic industry - and anyone who's seen his Penguin Lecture knows his creativity extends far beyond visual design. In this surprisingly eclectic episode, Phill reveals the eight effects he'd take to a desert island, beginning with the delightfully absurd "Tiny Hand" by Michael Ammar. This unexpected choice creates what Phill describes a...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Magic happens only in the mind of the spectator—this profound insight forms the core of our extraordinary conversation with magic legend Michael Ammar. Fresh from his UK lecture tour, Michael joined us in the studio to share the eight effects he'd take to a desert island and the philosophy that has guided his remarkable career. Michael's stories transport us from the hallowed halls of the Louvre, where a card placed on the ceiling became an unexpected tourist attraction, to Steve Wozniak's livin...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 15
What makes a magic trick truly unforgettable? For Noel Qualter, it's creating moments that make spectators exclaim, "That's the weirdest, craziest thing I'll remember for a long time!" This philosophy has guided his remarkable career from three-time originality award winner to fooling Penn & Teller. In this captivating conversation, Noel opens up about co-founding Trick Trick Boom with Roddy McGhie, a company dedicated to producing magic that breaks free from convention. Their first release,...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Season 2Ep. 14
What happens when a career-threatening injury forces a flying trapeze artist to reinvent herself? For Kay Dyson, it meant becoming "Miss Magic”, a transformation that has led to performances for celebrities like Victoria Beckham and The Rolling Stones, and appearances on shows from GMTV to Wizard Wars. Kay's journey began in Gerry Cottle's Circus as part of the groundbreaking all-female Flying Bell Stars. After a harrowing accident that came within millimetres of breaking her neck, she found her...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Ever wondered what it's like to perform magic for the Queen? Or how about orchestrating a death-defying stunt where a car explosion nearly takes down a helicopter with a celebrity inside? Jonathan Goodwin, the legendary escape artist and stunt performer, pulls back the curtain on these incredible moments and more in this captivating conversation. Goodwin's approach to performance art stands apart from traditional magicians - he created experiences where genuine danger and clever theatrical think...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Step into the wonderfully whimsical world of Roddy McGhie, where card boxes mysteriously grow tiny doors and silver laptops transform into signed playing cards. In this captivating conversation, Roddy reveals how his distinctively offbeat approach to magic has carved him a unique space in the industry. From the nerve-wracking moment of investing borrowed money to produce his first commercial hit "Little Door," to witnessing people's jaws literally drop when rubber bands pass through one another,...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 2Ep. 11
What happens when a professional electrician turns his workplace tools into instruments of wonder? Iain Bailey reveals how his day job has become the perfect foundation for creating authentic, practical magic that resonates with audiences everywhere. In this captivating conversation, Iain takes us through his Desert Island Tricks list, showcasing effects that brilliantly merge practicality with astonishment. From Holy Moly (using standard washers) to his viral Dove Magic routine (featuring cleve...
Apr 28, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Magician Geoff Weber discusses his carefully curated collection in this fascinating deep dive into a professional's most treasured magical tools. With over 25 years of experience and credits including published effects like X-Finger, Geoff now performs as "the retro magician" with an 80s-themed act packed with nostalgia. His desert island selections reveal both practical wisdom and surprising insights about what makes certain magic effects truly timeless. From the seemingly simple 3D Sponge Bunn...
Apr 22, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Marc Paul is a legend in the world of magic and mentalism and in this episode, he takes us on a fascinating journey through his world of professional mentalism with an insightful conversation about the routines that have defined his illustrious career. With over 35 years of experience performing across cruise ships, corporate events, and theatres worldwide, Marc distills decades of wisdom into practical advice about creating genuine moments of wonder. The Magic Square serves as Marc's favourite ...
Apr 18, 2025•2 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Step behind the curtain with Mark Bennett, the brilliantly funny owner of Smoke and Mirrors Comedy and Magic Theatre Pub in Bristol, as he reveals the eight magic effects that would accompany him to a desert island. Mark's journey through magic is fascinating, from nightclub performer to magic bar pioneer to successful creator of commercial effects used by magicians worldwide. With his signature wit and decades of performing experience, he shares why the humble double-backer has "bought him thre...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 2Ep. 8
William Poliet takes us on a magical journey spanning two decades of professional performance across France and the UK. As President of the Coventry Magic Circle and Warwickshire’s regional representative for The Magic Circle, William's carefully curated repertoire reflects both technical excellence and genuine audience connection. His magical origin story begins with a profound childhood moment at his 11th birthday party, William's uncle performed a card effect that left him utterly spellbound....
Apr 08, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Dave Loosely, fresh from his victory as the Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the Year 2025, reveals his definitive list in this captivating conversation about the effects that truly matter. Dave begins by taking us behind the scenes of his competition-winning act, sharing how he meticulously crafted each moment to appeal to both lay judges and magicians alike. "Everything was in there to try and win the competition," he explains, describing the intense six-month preparation process that consume...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Meet one of Scotland's most creative magical minds as Alan Rorrison takes us through the eight effects he couldn't live without. Known for his prolific creativity and innovative approach to magic, Alan reveals how his performance style has evolved toward more organic props and scripted presentations that put participants at the centre of the experience. The conversation delivers powerful insights about performing philosophy, with Alan explaining why he now approaches tables empty-handed rather t...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Lord Harri's journey through magic is as colourful and unpredictable as his Desert Island Tricks selections. After a technical mishap with his original recording, Harri returns with a refreshed perspective that perfectly captures his playful, versatile approach to magical entertainment. What makes Harri's list truly remarkable is its stunning diversity. From the visual elegance of Tobias Dostal's "Repo" to Adam Dadswell's "Lexicon Plus" that Harri has inventively adapted with rubber ducks, each ...
Mar 21, 2025•58 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this weeks episode, comedy magic legend John Archer takes us on an unexpected journey through his magical influences and philosophy. Rather than showcasing his signature repertoire, John reveals the eight effects he'd take to a desert island, most of which he's never performed professionally. What makes this episode particularly fascinating is John's vulnerable admission about why he doesn't perform certain tricks: "If I see a trick done so well that I think I couldn't do it better, then I do...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Steven Mills brings sixty years of magical wisdom to "Stranded with a Stranger," offering a masterclass in practical performance choices that stand the test of time. His philosophy cuts through modern magic's endless novelty: "You are fooling people way less often than you think. Don't confuse polite silence with thinking they were fooled." From pocket-sized miracles like "Jumping Arrow" to classic coin effects like "Hopping Halves," Steven's selections reveal a performer who values ending clean...
Mar 10, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Welcome to this weeks Desert Island Tricks with the phenomenal card ninja, Daniel Chard. Discover a blend of sharp magic insights, hilarious anecdotes, and the stories behind his favourite tricks. From memorable performances to essential tricks that define a magician's journey, Daniel shares his experiences navigating the fine line between skill and storytelling. What happens when you mix a passion for sleight of hand with the desire to entertain? You get a captivating discussion that reveals th...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode, we sit down with Ken Hallgring, a magician with over fifty years of experience, who shares the ultimate list of tricks he would bring along to his magical island if given the choice. From personal favourites to iconic classics, Ken dives into a selection of eight top tricks that resonate deeply with his magical journey, showcasing each trick's unique story and presentation style. Ken reflects on his early years in magic, the pivotal moments that shaped his identity, and the othe...
Mar 04, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Edward Hilsum takes centre stage in our latest episode, sharing his journey from a budding magician inspired by Lance Burton's iconic Dove Act to a celebrated performer at the Magic Circle and British Champion of Magic. Edward recounts his unique experiences performing in the West End's Wonderville during the tumultuous COVID era, alongside his role nurturing young talents through the Young Magicians Club. His story is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the transformative power of mentors...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Today’s Stranded Stranger is Ray Eden, the charismatic magician whose career has traversed continents and captivated audiences of all ages. From being inspired by a fair magician in his youth to performing daring acts like Russian roulette with a snake, Ray's story is as enchanting as his craft. Discover how Ray's foundational training with legendary magicians in New York City led to electrifying performances on Finnish television and a fulfilling role bringing joy to senior communities in Flori...
Feb 24, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Welcome to the launch of the second season of Desert Island Tricks with the illustrious Matthew Pomeroy, renowned magician and mentalist. Matthew takes us on his incredible journey from the bright lights of Broadway to the dazzling stages of Las Vegas, sharing insights and stories from his magical career. Matthew also becomes the first guest to banish an element from the magic industry, adding a unique twist to the second season. With deep admiration for the wonderful Marc Spelmann, Matthew high...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Come join us for a magical celebration as we mark a year of Desert Island Tricks! We’re bringing back the one and only Peter Nardi to help us explore the collective top 8 tricks that were chosen on the first season of the podcast. In this special compilation, we’ll chat about each trick and invite two of our guests to share their thoughts from their episode. We’ll also talk about our top 3 favourite episodes and what made them so special. And guess what? We’ve got a sneak peek at season 2! Our g...
Feb 13, 2025•3 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Join us as we welcome the incredibly talented Ali Cook to the show, where he shares stories from his diverse and remarkable career in magic. From a daring water tank escape act at the Edinburgh Festival to his celebrated performances on shows like Monkey Magic and Channel 4's Dirty Tricks, Ali opens up about the creativity and innovation that have driven his success. Get ready to be inspired as Ali sheds light on the eclectic influences that have shaped his unique style and the advice that led h...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Chris Frost’s (Frostie) Desert Island Tricks Sponge Balls (Unicorns) - Story For Opening Pom Pom Stick Wizard of Oz Booktest Magic Spell Book (Magic Colouring Book) Get Smarty Deck of Cards (Night Flights) Alchemy The Game Book: Yes Man by Danny Wallace Item: Cheese Monster Puppet Find out more about the creators of this Podcast at www.alakazam.co.uk
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Renowned magician Steve Della pulls back the curtain on a lifetime of performances, offering a unique glimpse into his world of magic and mentalism. In this episode you will discover how his passion ignited at just four years old and has remained robust throughout his career, even as his close-up act has stood the test of time for over two decades. Tune in to hear about his unforgettable run-in with magic legend Peter Nardi at the Blackpool Magic Convention which inspired one of his selections a...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 50
