Desert Island Tricks

Welcome this week's stranded stranger, Paul Tomey as he reveals the tools that never fail him, even on a "Desert Island." Including Craig Petty's versatile Nightshade coin set, Paul's insights will transport you into the communal essence of magic. Listen in as Paul shares the secrets behind his favourite openers and closers, such as Axel Hecklau's chop cup and Martin...

Today, we welcome Kev G from the Refraktor Project, who shares his journey with Collin Claus in crafting gimmick-free Rubik's Cube routines. Their upcoming course on Alakazam Unlimited promises to make cube mastery feel less like a puzzle and more like a magical adventure. Imagine the surprise on your audience's faces when a simple Rubik's Cube becomes the star of your magic show. W...

Get ready for a whirlwind of humour and magic in this episode of Stranded With a Stranger, where we welcome the uniquely intriguing Darren Bane. From his beginnings as a journalist to an award-winning police press officer and now a public relations expert, Darren shares his fascinating career trajectory. He enchants us with tales of his love of magic, including the first on his list, Screen Test P...

Alex McAleer, also known as Alexander Marsh lands on the Alakazam Island with his warm charm and humour, offering a refreshing take on the art of mentalism, sharing his journey from amateur dramatics in Suffolk to becoming a cherished figure in the mentalism community. Laugh along with us as we recount amusing anecdotes, like a radio studio mishap, and uncover Alex’s top “Desert Island Tricks,” in...

Welcome to this week's stranded stranger Alan Jones! Alan takes us on a mesmerising journey through his extraordinary career. From the moment legendary figures like Tommy Cooper and Paul Daniels ignited his passion, to the serendipitous visit to Davenport's Magic Shop that changed everything, Alan's story is one of inspiration and magic. He shares personal anecdotes about encounters...

GRAB YOUR TICKETS TO THE LONDON MAGIC CONVENTION ON SUNDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2024: https://www.londonmagicconvention.co.uk/ Join us as we welcome one of our most requested guests, the wonderful Andy Nyman! A celebrated actor and magician known for his collaborations with Derren Brown. This episode promises insight into Andy's illustrious career, from his creation of hit West End play turned Hollyw...

This week we welcome another stranger to our island, Trak Smith, a semi-retired antiques dealer, author, and magician nestled in the south of France. Trak captivates us with his desert island list, revealing his top eight tricks that spark joy and wonder. From the mystifying Zodiac Prediction by Liam Montier to the playful versatility of sponge balls, Trak shares his passion for the creative artis...

Today we are joined by the multi-talented Nick Mohammed, known for his roles as Nate on "Ted Lasso" and the ever-hilarious Mr. Swallow. Nick takes us on a magical ride through his fascinating career, sharing personal anecdotes and the unique approach he takes to comedy and magic. From captivating memory feats on "Cats Does Countdown" to the masterful blending of humour and appa...

Join us for a magical journey with Tom Cerny, a dedicated pharmacist whose passion for magic was reignited by his son Morgan's curiosity. Discover how this father-son duo, nestled in the secluded southern tip of Illinois, delves into the enchanting world of magic, exploring everything from classic books to cutting-edge online lectures. Tom shares his "desert island" list of magic tr...

Our latest episode features Wayne Goodman, the final member of the Alakazam team to record a DIT, who brings heartwarming stories and unparalleled passion for his craft. One of the most touching moments shared is about a groom who treasured a coin trick from his childhood, using it as a symbol during significant life events, and eventually passing it to his bride. This emotional tale sets the stag...

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...