Desert Island Tricks

This week we welcome Marvin Berglas, President of The Magic Circle and the creative force behind Marvin's Magic, as he shares the extraordinary journey that shaped his legendary career. Marvin's story begins with a powerful lesson in resilience, when a Harrods buyer dismissively tossed his product aside calling it "that old stinker," he responded not with defeat but determination. Returning weeks later to a different department, he secured a promotion that blossomed into a 40-year relationshi...

Nikolas Mavresis, one of magic's most inventive mentalism creators, opens up about the effects that shaped his journey from magic skeptic to prolific innovator. This conversation reveals the fascinating truth behind his creative process and how he approaches method selection. "You have to put yourself in the spectator's shoes and think like laymen," Nikolas explains, pinpointing why some magicians dismiss powerful methods that laypeople find utterly baffling. This philosophy of prioritising a...

Ever wondered what happens when a car vanish illusion goes wrong hours before filming? Or how swallowing needles helped a struggling magician pay his rent before television fame? Ben Hanlin pulls back the curtain on these stories and more in this incredible episode. The celebrated British magician, known for ITV's "Tricked" and Discovery's "Breaking Magic," reveals the eight effects that defined his career, from close-up card magic that stops conversations instantly to elaborate television sp...

Step into the magical world of Wayne McEwan, New Zealand's premier children's entertainer and versatile performer who has earned both the Lifetime Achievement Award from Magic New Zealand and Children's Entertainer of the Year honours from the Variety Artist Club of New Zealand. Wayne takes us on a captivating journey through his desert island magic selections, beginning with "Howzatt" by Michael J. Fitch, a cricket-themed paddle trick that culminates in the production of a mini ...

When magic meets craftsmanship, something special happens. Tony Antoniou embodies this intersection as both a lifetime Magic Circle member and the creative force behind The Mind Hacker, crafting exquisite leather goods that expand the use of popular effects from post-it pads to ProMystic effects. His selections paint a fascinating portrait of his evolution from close-up performer to mentalist, with each choice reflecting deep consideration of what makes magic truly impactful. The journey begi...

What does a magician do when a spectator wants to read their mind instead of having their own mind read? In a delightful twist shared by Welsh mentalist Rich Relish, he decided to play along, and was shocked when the spectator correctly divined his drawing of a house, leaping into the air with excitement while the wedding photographer captured the perfect moment. This natural, unexpected moment of wonder perfectly encapsulates Rich's approach to magic: creating genuine connections through psy...

Neil Henry, master of viral magic videos and unforgettable pranks, invites us into his world where play isn't just entertainment, it’s a pathway to possibility. From his early days selling tricks at Covent Garden's Magic Cave to creating videos seen by half a billion people, Neil shares the philosophy that's guided his creative journey. "When a non-magician is asked to make someone fly, they immediately say 'I can't.' But a magician asks, 'What would it look like if I could?'" This simple shi...

Magic's unpredictability takes centre stage in this captivating conversation with Chris North, celebrating his 60th year in show business and what an incredible career he’s had. From borrowing rings that go flying during rough seas to audience members pouring beer on his head mid-illusion, Chris shares the hilarious mishaps that have shaped his remarkable career. At 77, Chris looks back on his journey that began when he was just 17. After winning the popular TV talent show "New Faces" in 1976...

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....

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 f...

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 mock...

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 pe...

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 powe...

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 describe...

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 li...

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 relea...

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 ...

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 th...

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 anoth...

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 cl...