Desert Island Tricks

Ever wondered what mentalism tricks you'd bring if stranded on a deserted island? In this captivating episode of Stranded with a Stranger, we welcome A.C. Nicholas, an amateur mentalist and head of a publishing house, who generously shares his top picks for essential magic routines. A.C. delves into the mystique of mentalism classics like Kolossal Killer, the Stealth Assassin wallet routine,...

Buckle up for a hilarious ride as we welcome Piff the Magic Dragon to our podcast! Picture this: a marooned magic dragon on a desert island, armed only with his eight favourite magic tricks and an unexpected friendship with a FedEx driver named Gary. Intrigued? You’ll love hearing about Piff’s whimsical escape plans and the ingenious use of his iconic props like the Pifftacular and his trusty cann...

This week on Stranded with a Stranger, we bring you an extraordinary guest, Jason Christopher, a magician with over 40 years of experience. Known by many illustrious titles such as 'The Purveyor of Prestidigitation' and 'The Lithuanian Illusionist', Jason shares his secrets to mesmerising crowds with his unique blend of magic, mind reading, hypnosis, and comedy. From the classi...

This episode features the incredible Kyle Purnell, a master magician and creator with over 20 years of captivating audiences and pushing the boundaries of card magic. We explore his preferred Desert Island Deck, the Butterfly Deck, a revolutionary marked deck that enables peeks that many other deck's do not allow, including instantly locating any card named by a spectator from a shuffled deck...

What hidden secrets lie in the toolkit of a magician who also pilots helicopters through the rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest? This episode introduces AJ Debeck, a multifaceted magician and mentalist, who shares his top Desert Island tricks and the tools of his trade. From the sleek Black Roses marked cards to the indispensable magic wallets like the Stealth Assassin and Heirloom, AJ’s meth...

*A quick note to our younger listeners. There is a bit of bad language in this episode to listen with caution*  One of the UK's premier performing magicians Tom Wright graces the Alakazam Island and share with us his ultimate collection of tricks! From selecting between his own meticulously crafted routines and renowned tricks by other magicians, Tom shares how his list transformed from a sta...

This mid-week edition of "Stranded with a Stranger" features the captivating Brian Lloyd from London. Influenced by icons like Penn and Teller and David Blaine, Brian shares his top eight magic tricks, including The Grail, Knock'em Dead, and Die-ceptive Do-plicity. We take a nostalgic trip to the vibrant magic scene in Covent Garden and savor iconic moments from David Blaine's...

In this episode, we bring you the whimsical world of Sam Strange, one half of the captivating magic duo, Young and Strange. Sam takes center stage to share the journey of their 15-year partnership, recounting memorable moments and some of is much loved illusions. You'll get an insider look at their lighthearted approach to magic and the deep camaraderie that shapes their performances, along w...

Can a magician's essential tricks be just as practical as they are mesmerizing? Scott K. Ratner tells all in this weeks episode of "Stranded with a Stranger", a magician with nearly fifty years of experience. Scott opens his magic box to share his desert island must-haves, including the versatile Sidewalk Shuffle and his enhanced spin on the Professor's Nightmare, known as the...

How did Richard Young and his partner manage to fool magic legends Penn & Teller using a rather unconventional trick? Richard Young, from the dynamic magician duo Young and Strange, shares his journey from their unique audition for "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" to performing on grand stages and intimate settings alike. The insight into their creative brainstorming sessions and the rem...

Join us as we welcome Rob Sweet, also known as Sweet Deception Magic, a talented close-up magician from Coventry. Inspired by the Quick Trick Show and a cherished Paul Daniels magic set, Rob shares his journey into the magical arts, revealing a thoughtfully curated list of his favorite tricks. Featuring breathtaking routines like "Swindle" by Steve Cook and "Double Back" by Joh...

Get ready for an extraordinary journey into the world of mentalism with the legendary Kenton Knepper. Learn how Kenton's revolutionary concepts like 'Silent Influence' and 'Wonder Words' have shaped his illustrious career, and hear the fascinating story behind his essential desert island trick, Kolossal Killer. This episode promises to unravel the mysteries of mentalism, o...

Can magic really be your escape hatch from the mundane? Discover how Scott McKay, a magic hobbyist from Kent, finds joy and solace in the world of illusions. In this mid-episode of "Stranded with a Stranger," Scott opens up about his love for magic, despite his self-admitted technical struggles, and shares a heartfelt list of eight tricks, one book, and a special non-magic item that have...

Can moments of failure and vulnerability actually enhance a magic performance? This is something we will explore in Part Two of Derren's episode! We'll delve into ethical boundaries and the emotional depths of magic, including a deeply moving story of a fan seeking a connection with a deceased loved one. Prepare to be captivated by the intricate dynamics of tricks like the Oracle Act and...

Welcome back to our mid-main episode, episode... "Stranded with a Stranger." Our guest, a medical laboratory scientist and aspiring semi-professional magician, takes us on a magical journey inspired by the universe of Harry Potter. Sean unveils his top eight magic tricks, a must-read book, and a non-magic item that holds a special place in his heart. From the innovative Flight by Steve T...

We've got an extraordinary episode featuring the wonderful Derren Brown, who takes us through his incredible career, from the early days of close up card magic to his rise as a world-renowned mentalist and hypnotist. Listen as Derren shares his ultimate list of effects from his career including effects from his stage, television, book's and DVD's. He also recounts touching moments,...

Welcome to our brand new in-between mini episode, "Stranded with a Stranger," where YOU can send in your ultimate list of eight magic tricks, a single book, and one non-magic item you'd use for magic! Our inaugural guest, Phil Tilston, a veteran magician and resident performer at Houdini's Magic Bar, kicks things off by sharing his top picks. From the classic cups and balls to...

Ever wondered what it's like to witness magic that leaves even the best performers in awe? Join us for a mesmerising episode where we recount an extraordinary night orchestrated by Andy Frost from Derren Brown's team at the Oracle Bar. Our special guest, Adam Dadswell, takes us on his magical journey from a young performer to a mentalism maestro. Adam shares his transition from card magi...

Can the future really be foretold with just a phone and some cards? Join us for another excellent episode as we welcome the extraordinary David Jonathan, a magician renowned for his cutting-edge phone magic and mind-bending card tricks. Discover why he loves the lotto prediction plot, where numbers selected in the past miraculously match a ticket in a photo from a week ago. What's the ultimat...

Today we are joined by Chris Harding, Close-up Magician of the Year and Magic Circle Royalty! Chris takes us on a nostalgic journey, reminiscing about the early days of popular hypnosis DVDs and his unique style choices at conventions. He shares hilarious stories and memorable collaborations with legendary magicians like Mike Vincent and Anthony Jacquin, all while teasing his carefully curated lis...

What if you could turn a banana into unforgettable magical experience? Join us for an exciting episode of Desert Island Tricks as we sit down with the ingenious magician Martin Peirce. Known for his captivating and practical magic tricks, Martin shares the fascinating story behind his book test, "Lucky Numbers," and gives us a sneak peek into an upcoming release. From frequent TV appeara...

Marc Spellman, the captivating magician best known for his performances on Britain's Got Talent and America's Got Talent, joins us for a truly wonderful episode. From his masked persona "X" to humorous fictitious crime watch appearances, Marc’s wit and charm make this a must-listen episode.  Explore the timeless utility of the TT as Marc reminisces about his days at Davenport&a...

Can a single magical influence change the course of another magician's career? Join us as we explore this captivating question with the ingenious Matthew Wright! This episode takes us on an emotional journey, recounting Matthew's memorable experiences with the legendary Eugene Berger in Amsterdam, where a shadow trick left an indelible mark on his career forever. Discover how these magic...

What if you had to rewrite and perform the second act of a show with almost no preparation? In this episode, we sit down with the extraordinarily talented Simon Lipkin, who opens up about his remarkable journey from starring in Avenue Q at just 20 years old to his current role in Oliver with Cameron McIntosh. Simon’s career has been anything but conventional, and he shares the highs and challenges...

What if magic could be more than just tricks and illusions, but rather a journey into the mystical and the personal? Terry shares his fascinating experiences with seances and narrative-driven magic, illustrating how deeply personal stories can create unforgettable moments for the audience. Discover how the power of psychometry and the return of personal items can forge emotional connections that f...