Harry Nardi

Harry Nardi has achieved a huge amount in a small amount of time! Not only is he a vital part of Alakazam but he is a Britain's Got Talent Finalist, perfoms at high end events for some huge companies and his social media posts have amassed ten's of thousands of views. 

Harry's Desert Island list is a diverse mix of working routines, mentalism, magic and it shows how someone who is literally surrounded by thousands of tricks, carefully curates his trick choices to gain maximum impact at gigs!

Find out more about the creators of this Podcast at www.alakazam.co.uk

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:33

So, welcome back to another episode of Desert Island Tricks. Today's a fun one because we're actually face to face. So, it's the first face-to-face one that I've recorded. Um, and it should be a good one. So, just to let you know about the format of the show, the idea is that our guests are marooned on a desert island. We're not really going to maroon them on there, um, but they're on this island and they're allowed to take with them eight tricks, one book, and one non-magic item that they use for magic. Um, and again, lots of people get into the particulars, so they can have whatever audience they want there, etc. etc. Um, it's more about the things that they just couldn't live without. So let's get on to today's episode. Uh, today's guest is a Britain's got talent finalist who splits his time between gigging and working for one of the world's biggest magic companies. Uh only 23, he's managed to achieve what many performers wish to achieve in their entire career. And if he continues on this traject trajectory, can't say that word, there is no doubt uh he there's gonna be great things in store for his future. He's also my boss's son. But this entire introduction was written by his dad. He is, of course, Harry Nardy. Hello, Harry.

SPEAKER_01 1:40

Hello, that's one of the nicest things my dad's ever said about me, so I really appreciate it. Hello, no, pleasure to be here. Thank you very much for having me, my friend.

SPEAKER_02 1:46

So it's gonna be interesting to see what your choices are.

SPEAKER_01 1:51

I have got a wide selection, but I've gone for ones that I know, love, and trust. I perform these um pretty much every gig. Well, it must be hard for you because you work in a magic shop. That's the thing. And the thing is, you know, we do get to try out, and when we do release a new trick and things like that, we do actually road test them. So things like Imagine, uh, which actually wasn't even on my list, but I need to add that on there because I do that every time. Um, like that, we take to gigs and that and tweak it for so long before we actually release it because we want obviously each trick that Alexander released to be the best possible version of itself, and it could be tweak this, tweak that, add a little bit more of this, add a little bit more of that.

SPEAKER_02 2:26

So we can tell listeners that as well as the usual adverts, this is gonna be like a long Alex advert. Well I never. No, no, no, no, no, come on. So we are gonna go to Harry's um island now and we're gonna find out about his first trick. So, what did you go for first?

SPEAKER_01 2:43

First of all, I have gone for extreme burn. Now, this is a basic one, but for me it's killer. It summarizes and sums up in a nutshell what I think a magician would be like. You take some receipts, um, you show the receipts front and back, with one flick, they then turn into money. So, in my opinion, every time you perform with people, they always say, Oh, can you make money or do this or do that? You know, and that one I do just think if you was a magician, nine out of ten people would do that. You know, they would make something turn into money.

SPEAKER_02 3:09

Do you use it as your opener?

SPEAKER_01 3:10

Yes, pretty much every obviously you've got like ace. I don't really have sets as such. I've got like a couple of tricks linking to each other, but yeah, nine times out of ten, the first thing people will see, um, like trick-wise is extreme burn. I just think it's short, sweet, it sums it up, and it also it takes away from they may have in their head like an idea of what they think a magician's gonna be like. And so taking receipts and turning into money, that's a cool thing to do. They're not gonna then think, oh, he's gonna be cheesy, you know, he's gonna pull a rabbit from a hat off. Do you know what I mean? Not if you're in a restaurant, obviously you're not gonna do that, but I just think it sets the bar for like, okay, actually, this is better than what I thought it was gonna be 100%.

SPEAKER_02 3:44

Yeah, it's quite quick and snappy and visual as well. I guess everyone can see it.

SPEAKER_01 3:47

Everyone can see it. It's one of the ones where if people want to record anything as well, you can do it again, um, like later on in the evening. I just think it's just a brilliant trick, it's an absolute killer trick, and yeah, I love it. So for me, extreme burn is is a must-have. Obviously, you need to make it up yourself, and they do use real notes and things like that. Um, but I know a lot of people perform in different ways as well. I use receipts, um, and I get Steve Rhodes to do mine, but I know a lot of other people use like bingo um or scratch cards, things like that, or Monopoly money, and it can really be tailored to whatever you like. But yeah, for me, receipts to money that establishes yourself as a good performer and is just cool. It's just wicked. I like that.

SPEAKER_02 4:25

But I guess if you're taking money to a desert island, you can just use that to get a boat, right?

SPEAKER_01 4:29

Uh yeah, that's why that's number one. That is Nimaruno.

SPEAKER_02 4:33

So that's a solid first trick, and um I know lots of people that use that as a opening.

SPEAKER_01 4:39

Yeah, and the thing is, I think people are nervous, like, oh, they do this trick, they do that trick. If it's a good trick, do the trick. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, it's it's brilliant. I just think if it's a good enough trick and people do it, they do it for a reason. It's a great trick. So yeah, I mean, for me, extreme burn is up there.

SPEAKER_02 4:52

Good first choice. So, what are you gonna go for for number two?

SPEAKER_01 4:55

Next is I'm gonna uh go for MD Mini. Good choice. Yes, MD Mini. Uh now this one, again, every time I perform, I perform MD Mini. Um, it's strong, and what it is essentially is it's a little Rubik's Cube, I talk about it all the time. It's a little Rubik's Cube with obviously six different colours on each side, fits in your hand, um, and you get a spectator to choose any colour, put it face up, cover it, you're turned around at this point, they cover it, their friends can see, or they don't have to see, and basically you can turn around and tell them what colour they've chosen. Um, for me, this is just brilliant because sometimes you turn up to a gig and maybe some people haven't arrived at a gig yet, or maybe the numbers have dropped a little bit. And for me, this is like my get out of jail card for me. Because no matter how many times they see it, they want to see it again, they want to try and catch you out. And so I've been to uh gigs where there's been loads of people, and I've only had to do two tricks, but MD Mini will be one of them, it'll probably be Extreme Burn, then MD Mini or something. Um, but also I've been at gigs where yeah, they've gone, oh, there's either a row closure or something at a company event, people can't get on train strike or something, people can't get there. And so I'm having to do like an hour or two hours or something with like 30 people or maybe even less. And for me, MD Mini is to get out of jail free car because you can literally have even like a £10 on a line and say, Right, I'm gonna try and catch every single one of you out, we're gonna play a game here. If I cannot guess which colour you've gone for or work it out, you will get a tanner or something like that, you know. Um, but yeah, it's small, it fits in a little ticket pocket or the little pocket in your waistcoat as well, which is really good. Um, so pocket space is killer. Um, and the method as well is so clever. I haven't got to peek anything, I haven't got to do anything like that, so my hands are free, I haven't got to like get a glimpse of anything. Um, it's just so free, it's fair, and you cannot explain it. There's no explanation from a layman's point of view.

SPEAKER_02 6:44

Yeah, it becomes a um a challenge piece. Yeah. So there's um I I think about the same with an invisible invisible deck, which not many people do. So the idea that you um you do the invisible deck to begin with, and then you say, but you wouldn't have done that, would you? Right, get one in your head now. I think I know what you're gonna do. I'm gonna turn another one over, but yeah, but then you just go, you can do literally like 10 minutes just on on that one thing.

SPEAKER_01 7:09

New Year's Eve, actually, just quickly talking about Invisible Deck. I actually I did do that because someone done it, and his wife was like, No, I was gonna choose a different one. And I do uh Steve Deller's got a great opener, which to be fair, I do actually perform that, and it's uh Extreme Burn guy into Invisible Deck. And um I done it, and I say right now, one more chance to win the money. I've turned over one card in this deck, but again, this is uh Steve Deller's opener, but it was on one of his DVDs, and I performed. I think it's absolutely brilliant. Um but essentially it's um I've turned over one card in this deck, and I know what you're thinking, you've got to name that card to win the money. Even easier. As long as you don't name the one card that's face down, you will win. So you've got 51 if 52 chance of winning. And so you perform it. Obviously, the card they name uh ends up being the one that's face down, so they don't win the money. Um, but then you you can't go into it again because I remember I've done other tricks. He went, yeah, but that face down one, what if she'd have done it? And I went, well, let's try it, let's give it away. I said I've never done this before, obviously I have. But I said I've never done this before, let's give it a go. And I turned around, turned one card over, and obviously it was the card that she thought of. And there, it's so simple, it's so strong, and it's just something so nice about seeing a face-up deck with one face-down card. There's no, there's no get there's nowhere, there's nowhere else you can go. There's one face-down card, it's the card they named, it's unexplainable. Super.

SPEAKER_02 8:20

Yeah, I think it's um work and play. Yes, you're right.

SPEAKER_01 8:22

From Magic K or something, wasn't it? Something like that. Yeah, I can't remember. But yeah, that's a great DVD as well.

SPEAKER_02 8:27

Um, good choice. I personally use MD Mini as well, so I can account for that. That's brilliant. Uh so that takes us on to your third trick.

SPEAKER_01 8:34

What are you going for? Uh next, I am talking about the trick that I started with, uh mentioned right at the beginning, which is Imagine. Now, again, for me, um, I rarely do, and I was saying this earlier to Jamie before we started recording this. I don't I didn't think I'd done much magic, but thinking about it now, this has got magic in it, and this is um imagine, like I said.

SPEAKER_02 8:53

So wait there, so just let's just clear that up. Harry does a lot of magic, he means mentalism versus magic.

SPEAKER_01 8:59

Yeah, okay, yeah. I don't just like talk or ramble and say jokes. Yeah, I do mentalism, yeah. Um, but magic again, they get different reactions. I personally prefer the reaction that mentalism gets. Um, however, magic does get you the big cheers and claps, and that's what a booker will be looking out for as well as that, you know, just when they're out about. But imagine for me is a must-have item. Um, it's essentially like a mental photography deck, but on steroids, pretty much. So it's very simple to perform. I mean, there's a lot more going on than a mental photography deck, but it's um you well, the way I perform, you can perform it however you like, but I start with the deck already printed, so they've all got different back designs and obviously different faces, and I say this is all to do with your imagination. As I dribble the cards, I say some of you may say see orange cards, some of you may see red cards, blue cards, purple cards, whatever. Um, but this is all down to you guys. So when I dribble the cards, just say stop. They say stop, I show them the card, and I say, okay, perfect. Um now just think if it's red or black, and I go through that whole phase. So, first of all, think if it's red or black, blah blah blah. Red card, yeah, heart, yeah, uh, two of hearts. Okay, yeah, perfect. That's the card you're thinking of, right? Yeah. Um, and I say, right, let's try this with you again. This is all in your imagination. So whatever card you see, just that's one that will be stuck in your head. So I jump with the cards again. Uh, this time again, just as like a little um increase in the impossibility. I say, now don't even think if it's red or black, just in your head, say the card over and over and over. And you when you mind with your finger like over and over and move around in a circle, they say it on time with that, and you can join in when they're saying it. So it really feels like you're joining in exactly as they say it. So if your finger's going round like green, green, green, it really feels like you've just tuned into their head. So that is the second phase. Um, again, both mind reading, I say, okay, that was mind reader, we're gonna try magic now. Um, and we're gonna use this card. I turn it over and I say we're gonna use whatever the top card is. I turn it face down, place it on a table, and I say, I want you to picture this card in your mind. And the stronger the image is in your mind, the weaker it is on the card. Um, let me know when you can see it in your head. So they can see it in their head. You snap your fingers, they turn the card over, it's now blank, blank card, blank face card, and I say, but this was all down to your imagination. At the start, I said, Do you have a good imagination? Uh they said yeah. I say, perfect, because you saw backs, faces, and colours, and at this point they're seeing the face of a card and the back of a card. And I say, Well, you've got great imagination. I put the cards back together, spread, and now it's fully blank. So, for that for me, I can get loads of people involved, I can get up to like 26 people to think of a card. Not that I'd ever do it that many times, but you can. Um, so when you're doing walk-around, it's great because it's not the same card every time. Uh, there's no deck switches, which is brilliant, it looks brilliant, you can perform it surrounded, obviously. I haven't had one person asked to see the deck of cards either. Um, and I just think when you when it's to do with their imagination, I just think it's so strong, so strong. So imagine for me, easy mind reading, multiple reveals, multiple people involved, all happens in the hands. You don't need a table or anything, you've got magic at the end. There's so many moments of magic for no work. So, imagine for me is a must-have. I think it will come under the bracket of mental magic anyway.

SPEAKER_02 11:51

Yeah, agree.

SPEAKER_01 11:51

So um it has sort of the best of both worlds, doesn't it? Yeah, and yeah, like I said, so easy, so strong, and happens in the hands. So tables, walk around, whatever. There's no restriction. And I know it's a deck of cards carry around with you, but you get so much magic out of it, it's worth it, without a shadow of a doubt.

SPEAKER_02 12:06

Good, and then that brings us on to your halfway point. So good choices so far. Okay. Um, I think all of them put bar one so far. I perform. Oh, I agree.

SPEAKER_01 12:16

I don't know what one you don't perform. If it's Imagine, I'm gonna knock you clean out.

SPEAKER_02 12:19

No, imagine I've got Extreme Burn. Yeah, okay. Extreme Burn's the only one that I don't do. Good. So that brings us on to your halfway point.

SPEAKER_01 12:25

What is the number? Next is uh actually a coin effect, and it's one routine, and it's coins across. Now, for me, I've always loved coins across. I love coin magic, and I literally do the Roth Coins Across, I think it is. Um Dad taught me anyway. David Roth. David Roth, correct, yeah. Uh Dad taught me, and just uh uses three coins. Um and I just coins across has always baffled me. It looks wicked, and I love tricks that just look cool. And for me, that looks cool. You've got three coins, it's obvious what's happening, it builds every time, the final phase as well. Um, I get them to take the when I put the coins in their hand, I get them to take the last coin off as well and put it in my hand. So that's like an extra layer of impossibility. Um, and it also kind of ties into Imagination coins by Garrett Thomas, which again, Garrett Thomas is unbelievable, he's so good. I've got another one of his effects in here actually. Um, but Garrett Thomas is an unbelievable performer and he's got something at the end. I know Andy's been doing it for ages as well, and it's where the final phase, um, when you put the coins in their hand, you get them to take off the the last part of it basically and put it in your hand. And so they've physically removed the coin from their hand, yet somehow it then jumps back in because it gets vanished and appears back in their hand, obviously. Um, and so for that for me is a killer final phase. I've had I've actually done this more than once as well to the Saints Spectator. I don't normally do the same trick twice, but this one's really good because I go, Well, it's just gonna be sleeves, isn't it? And I don't roll my sleeves up for the second part of it, actually. I've had it where they go, all right, do it again, but with your sleeves rolled up, and I go, Are you sure? Like, we'll try again, okay, fine. And I do it again when my sleeves rolled up, and that way they feel that they've had a personal, really personal experience where they've kind of I've stepped aside from the performing, and it's now just a magician, and I'm not it's not a magician against the spectator, I'm not saying that, but it's them having a thought in their mind and you step into one side and giving them a one-to-one exactly what they're after. Um, and to be fair, I will roll if I'm performing um for quite a lot of people and I've got to get around them all. The second phase, I'll say, now people think it's coming out my sleeves, it's not okay. If I have to get round them, if there's less people that I won't roll on my sleeves in the hope that someone says it's coming out of your sleeves, and then I can go into it. Um you're nearly trying to manufacture that moment.

SPEAKER_02 14:35

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:36

And I think a lot of people are starting to do that now where something may happen at a gig once and they really enjoy it. It's like a gag, you know, if you're performing on stage or something and a spectator says something, you think, Oh yeah, let me try and get that in next time. Um, and I had this um just off topic, I had this on where I was doing a stage piece, and it uses puzzle pieces, and um I wanted to get them to turn them all face over or something like that, and they took a handful out, it was a little kid on stage, they took a handful out, put it in the lid, and so they only had six pieces. I went, right, now you've got to turn them all face up. And they started turning the ones in the rest of the box face up, so there's like 950 pieces they're trying to turn face up. I was like, right, okay. So then every time after that, I would like body like point gesture towards the one with loads of pieces in it, and it would always get a laugh. Um, so I think it's very important that you remember the things that sort of went well that were off the cuff and try and yeah, manufacture them in because it obviously worked for a reason. Sometimes it will only work on that night, but you never know, so it's worth trying. Hey guys, sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to let you know about all the exciting things happening here at Alakazan Magic. We have brand new releases every single month and live streams every Tuesday. So there's so much content to dive into. We ship every single day. If you're in the UK and your order goes to over £40, we ship it to you for free. If you're international and your order amounts to over £70, we ship it for free, fully tracked. And if you live in the United States, we get it sent from our California branch, which means you have cheaper shipping, faster shipping, and no import duties. Can't get any better than that. Honestly, there's so much to discover here at Alakazam, including the monthly newsletter we've all ordered. We have our own live academy where the world's biggest names in magic teach the best tricks in the world. And it's live so you can interact and ask any questions you like. We have so many exciting things happening here at Alakazam, so make sure you follow us on all social media, Facebook and Instagram, to find out the latest news. Cheers guys, and enjoy the rest of the podcast.

SPEAKER_02 16:44

Don't know who that guy is, but he's well annoying.

SPEAKER_01 16:46

Interrupting me like a rude boy.

SPEAKER_02 16:49

Great. So we have reached your halfway point. Let's find out what you've got for number five.

SPEAKER_01 16:55

Lovely. Uh, next up is the Garrett Thomas effect I was talking about earlier, which is stand-up Monty. Um, I absolutely love this routine. Again, uses my top outside pocket, um, which doesn't really get used for a lot of other stuff. Um, so pocket spaces killer, only uses six cards in total anyway. Um, and as far as routine goes, it's a stand-up Monty or three card Monty, should I say, that is just on steroids. It fools you when you're performing it is absolutely brilliant. It's so good, so visual, quick, brilliant.

SPEAKER_02 17:24

And I'm not just saying it because you're here and I want to be nice to you, um, but you do do it the best out of anyone that I've seen do it. You don't mean that. I do, but I think I think that's because you do it so smoothly as well. Oh, thank you. Well, you've obviously done it loads, but you don't think about what you're doing, so it feels smooth.

SPEAKER_01 17:41

Yeah. Thank you very much. I really appreciate that. Um, I honestly I just absolutely love it. COVID, when obviously COVID was around, um, not many people had gigs. I obviously I didn't have any gigs in COVID. Um, and I hadn't actually picked up standard money the whole time, but after the whole two years, I picked it up without thinking it, and it just goes straight back to you. You perform an effect like this, it is just muscle memory in the end, and you just literally talk around it, really. Your hands do what they do, and you just talk. Um, but I love honestly, again, this trick is so good because I love anyone who I've spoken to ever will know I really like Greg Wilson. His website is sick, the honest con man. I I feel bad because I always big him up, but honestly, I just think he's absolutely killer. Jamie's a proper man crush. No, it is, honestly, I'm not gonna lie to you, right? I just think the con man-esque type thing is just brilliant, it fascinates me. Eve, I went to Paris the other day, well not the other day, like for four years ago, probably, but I'll just say the other day. Anyway, I went there, right? I saw people doing cups and balls, and everyone says, Oh, they always perform this on the streets, I never believed them, and then I saw it in my own eyes, and I thought, I just even though obviously it's wrong that they're conning people, I just think it's absolutely incredible. The the fact is just three little cups and a ball, or this or that, and it's the same with free card Monty. I just think for me, everyone's seen it. Not many people have had the chance to play it without having to spend money, and I think it's just so much fun. Um, again, this is a great one that I perform if I'm at a party and then there's a group of lads outside, um, they're all kind of drinking, and they've had a uh obviously a they're having a laugh and things like that. Um, it's so quick, it happens in their hands, and it's just one of the ones they they've heard about the game and they want to beat the game. And the good thing with stand-up monsters is you're in control the whole time. Every card that they could possibly turn over and be an awkward spectator, it doesn't matter. You've basically got everything covered. Um yeah, and you do fool yourself with it. Seriously, I do it in the shop so much, I do it at gigs so much, and it does just fool me every time. It's so clean, so strong. And the final phase is what if you want to do that, it's a really good picture moment because you get everyone to put their hands around all the cards, um, and then one by one the cards change. I don't think that's the one that's actually taught on there. Um, because I think the one taught on there, it is the same effect we have to do like a half pass and things like that. Um, whereas I've just tweaked it a little bit. Um, but yeah, it's so good. Stand up Monty is just brilliant. So many moments of magic for no real work, just memory, really. Yeah, I agree. I think it's great. It's one that I think I've always wanted to learn, but I never have. I have actually filmed a different because we had a few customers get it and struggled with the instructions. Um, I'm not sure it is just a difficult one where you just have to practice like phase by phase. But I did film different instructions because I do set up differently just to remember it in my head. Um, and if you do obviously get a standard money at Alexander, obviously you do get the additional. No, I'm just saying, don't laugh, I'm just saying it. You do get no, I'm just saying I do teach, yeah. I'm not trying to I'm not trying to sell it, but I'm just saying, right? Well, I do teach the way I do it on there, because I do set up different, it's slightly easier.

SPEAKER_02 20:31

If you do get it, then it's always good to learn from someone. Like if I learn, if I want to learn a that trick, I will go to you to learn it. Right? So your touches on that are gonna be worthwhile. Thanks. So I do think it's um it's a good way to take back your laughs, thank you. So number six.

SPEAKER_01 20:47

What are you going for? Uh number six is one of your favourites, PK touches. Why is that not number one? Uh well no, these aren't in order. You didn't say that to be in order.

SPEAKER_02 20:56

Oh, okay. All right, they're just would this be number one then?

SPEAKER_01 20:59

Um I would say yeah. Yay! Honestly, yeah. Um I just think it cannot be beaten. Seriously, it's so versatile. Pocket space is nothing. Nothing. Honestly, it's killer. You have two people, whether you're on stage, whether you're in par, whether you're in close-up, anything. This is unexplainable. It will honestly stick with them for a long time and it will get you bookings. I've done countless tricks to like the my football team and things like that. The one they always talk about is how the heck did he feel it when you touch the other guy? Honestly, in it.

SPEAKER_02 21:35

Yeah, it's I think um it hits everything, right? So it's impromptu. So you don't need if you want to do the very basic one, there's no there's literally nothing in it. Um it's something totally different and unfathomable. It doesn't feel like a magic trick. It it's almost like an out of body experience. Um it feels like real magic. Yeah, it's like real magic.

SPEAKER_01 21:54

Yeah, it's the only effect that I've had. I had done it with a mother and daughter once at this like uh Uh I don't know what the event was, but anyway, I done it to uh mother and daughter, and they honestly cried seriously, because I was superb. I'm joking. No, they cried because I was like, now this trick is just to do with your connection, and you could tell, like, they had a really nice bond, you know. You could tell, like, the I mean the daughter was older than me anyway, but you could just tell like they were for each other, like with each other. Do you know what I mean? Um, and so really just play on that fact. This doesn't work with everyone. I'm not gonna lie to you. I'm gonna try something now, it doesn't work with anyone. This is solely down to the connection you have with each other. You've been through like, do you know what I mean, with each other through the whole of your life, blah blah blah blah blah. Um, and then you do this effect, and honestly, I've never seen a reaction. I'm actually getting goosebumps thinking about it because it was it will stick with me for the rest of my life, and I highly expect it to stick with them because it was just such a lovely moment, and I wouldn't have got that with anything else, without a doubt. It's also got me more bookings than anything else. You do it so well. You done it to my um after we had a show in where was that show? Bromley or something like that. Might have been Bromley, yeah. Yeah, but you uh done it to my uncles, and they are typical English lads, aren't they? Like, aren't they? They are just typical, like funny, but and you done it to them and they were speechless. They were absolutely speechless, and to this day they still talk about it. Honestly, it was brilliant, and you've just done it at the good thing is you've done it, we were in a restaurant, you've done it to them at the table, and also you've done it, you've done like D'Angelo's touch, and people from other tables would have looked over. It's not it's honestly it does it ticks every box, every performance environment, it'll tick. I've done it so I've done it surrounded as well, it's very good. Um I do it surrounded, yeah. And I've never had a problem. No, on it, you cannot, there's there's not there's no fault. There isn't really any fault with it. Honestly, it is just one of the best routines I think ever in magic, without a shadow of a doubt. And if you have to learn something, it'll be that I'd say.

SPEAKER_02 23:49

Yeah, I think lots of people are scared to do it. There's like a weird stigma on it. But true or not, I taught you it in your living room in maybe 15 minutes. True. And and that was all it needed. Yeah, it's I think it's do you know what it reminds me of? Hypnosis. So people are scared to do hypnosis, but if you're with someone and you do it with them, it takes away the like fright. It's almost like you need to do an in-person masterclass on PK touches.

SPEAKER_01 24:13

No, it's true. But I mean, I I know what you mean, but it's the same with it is the same with any trick, really. Do you know what I mean? I understand PK Touch more so I guess, but I don't think there's ever a time when you think I'm ready now. Do you know what I mean? I think you just gotta do it, but I do know what you mean.

SPEAKER_02 24:26

I think it's more the method with PK Touches that people are scared of. Because it is it's scary the first time you do any trick. Yeah, it's it's super scary, but I think certain methods are more scary than others.

SPEAKER_01 24:38

No, it is true. And PK Touch, the method is unlike anything else, so it's brand new. So you are right, it is. You would never have had to do this with any other trick before. It's not that you've got to do a double lift or whatever. Do you know what I mean? It's completely different.

SPEAKER_02 24:50

I think that so far all of your choices are just solid. Really good. Um, so that brings us to exciting number seven. Mm-hmm. This is a bank night, and this is the Mine Yours mystery.

SPEAKER_01 25:02

Now, is is this your favourite plot in magic? It is indeed, yes. It is indeed. I love bank night routines. I just think they're entertaining, they're just brilliant. Honestly, I love it. And again, as I often at the minute add on, so I'll speak to people about doing close-up gigs and stuff, and I say to them, Um, yeah, I'll do like perform close-up magic and this and that, and I can end with a stand-up piece for the whole room if you like. Yeah, like, and a lot of time they go for it, which is um fun for me because close-up's fun. I think stand-up's really good because you're in full control then. You know, they are sitting back and you you've got your jokes ready to go, you know, you've got the things set up, you can get people involved, things like that. Um, and a bank night for me is just a no-brainer. Similar to Extreme Burn, money's involved, people enjoy that. Um, a game show, there's built-in gags with the Mind Yours mystery, the method's so easy. I know that Blank Kn by Um John Archer is very good as well. Um, different methods, but they're both very good. Um, and I just think it's so entertaining. If I I often think as well, if I was a spectator, what would I want to see? And for me, I would enjoy that type of magic. I think you have to Gary Jones put something on Facebook the other day, and it's important to follow people like Gary Jones and Chris Congo and things like that, because they are prof they are full professionals, they've done it all, they do you know what I mean? They've been there, they've done it, they've got the experience. And he was like, one tip for you enjoy what you're doing because it will show to your spectators, and that is just it's obvious, but it's true. If you are performing a trick you don't enjoy, stop doing it because it's gonna show. I absolutely love a bank night, and the moment I stop loving it, I'll not do it anymore because it does show. I get so excited with it, and I've changed it now so that the final one's got like a £10,000 check in it. Not written from me, it's written from Alexander, but anywho, they don't know about it. I nicked uh check from the checkbook, anywho. Um, but I just think then it's like it's just brilliant. I just love it, and I think it is so important to do the tricks you love. Every single one of the tricks I've said down there, I love performing, and that is important. It is important.

SPEAKER_02 26:57

That's why I I c I quite like the idea of this podcast because we get to talk about the things that people are passionate about. These are gonna be the tricks that people could literally talk. Yeah. I mean, in Mark James's case, he's talked quite a lot. And I've not recorded one with Mark Spellman yet, but I can that's gonna be several episodes long. Yeah, um, but yeah, that's that's what's nice about it. Like people enjoy talking about them, so I think that's really good.

SPEAKER_01 27:23

So just to quickly clarify what bank night is basically um envelopes or bags, this and that, and then one of them's got a prize in it that you ultimately want to win and end up winning, and they, even though they have three choices, end up with the ones that are not as sort of high in value. So the mind yours mystery, I say inside one of these envelopes is a five pound note. Um I'm gonna do all I can so that you win the five pound. Uh you go through, uh, there's built-in gags of it, like I said, they choose an envelope. Um, and it's really good because you have like we got the envelope of mystery here. Can I get an ooh? So then the whole crowd gets involved with an ooh. Um then you uh before the guy makes a decision, I always do it for guys, because there's built-in jokes. Um, but before the guy makes a decision, you get the whole room. If you think the money is envelope number one, give me a cheer. Again, it just gets them excited, you know, it gets them happy, it gets everyone involved. No one's made to look silly because at the end of the day they do walk away with five pounds, they're still a winner. Um and then, yeah, essentially on the other two, in one of them's like 100 quid and the other one's that check. Um, so yeah, very, very simple method, but just so strong. I love it. Great choice. So that brings us on to is this your final trick? This is my final trick before your book.

unknown 28:27

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 28:27

Cool. What uh do you have in your eighth position? In my eighth position. Uh this one is a funny one, and it is just simple, big reaction, and denial. Oh, yes, sorry, yes. Yep. I love big reaction again, so simple, so strong, so direct, versatile. For me, uh, when I perform at tables, this is my um closer, not my opener. Um, and I think as far as it goes, you can't really get better than it. Um, I mean, obviously you've got other tricks which are brilliant, but for me personally, I've got loads of tricks before that when it comes to tables that are more for well, this one is for everyone as well, but to set me up to walk to the next table, coming off the back of a massive cheer, and the trick will get you a cheer. That's the method, you know, that is the the effect really. Um and so you get a massive cheer from each table, and there's no other trick again that gets a reaction like that because you are literally the trick says go crazy, you know. So um essentially you get the whole table to pick a card together, so you will say the first person, uh, what value would you like? Ignore suits and colours, what value? Let's say they say six, perfect. Um, would you like a red six or a black six? Red, and then what value uh what suit, heart or diamond, let's say they say heart. You take out your deck of cards, um, well, that's in your hand at that point, actually, and you spread through the cards and you say, now let's get out these six of whatever it was, hearts or diamonds or whatever. Um, let's take it out, we'll leave it here. In actual fact, can you just hold it above your head for me? So every someone's holding up the card um showing to the table, and you say, Now on the back of each one of the other cards, I've written a word. The word on the back is boo. If you'd have chosen the Jack of Clubs, let's say, uh, it would have been boo. If you'd have chosen this one, it would have been boo. This one boo. Uh in actual fact on the back of each one of these cards, I've written the word boo. Boo, boo, boo, boo, boo, all the way through boo, boo, boo, boo, boo. Um, but you guys didn't choose any of them cards, you chose this card, the six of hearts. If the trick went wrong, you had to boo me. If it went right, you had to go crazy. Do the honours, turn it around. Everyone, ladies and gentlemen, go crazy. And then they'll go, woo, and you go, thank you so much. And then you've had a massive cheer. And the next table will want to outdo them. It's just a it's just a fact. They know what's going on, they're gonna want to outdo them. Um, so then they're gonna cheer even louder. And essentially, you've got a great magic trick. You're not begging for a cheer as part of the trick, but you are getting that verbal verification that the guy coming over to our table is gonna make us cheer, he's gonna make us happy and let's get involved. So, yeah, I just think no-brainer, big reaction. If you as well, if you want more confidence when you're performing as well, big reaction's great because it's so simple, it's so strong, and you do get that cheer. And the reaction, again, like I said, set you up for the next table who are ready to see magic.

SPEAKER_02 30:58

So I was out with um a friend of ours a few nights ago, Dean. We were filming and one thing that um I always look for at a gig is for the first table. So when I go to a gig, I try and either look for the a group or a table who I think will be fun. So normally they're a little bit louder, they're probably laughing a lot, they're probably a little bit more animated, or they're dancing in their chairs or something like that. And I always go to that because I want a big reaction at the first table. Yeah, I want everyone to go crazy, I want claps, I want laughs, I want oh my gods, or whatever I can, because then that sets you up with every other table. Every other table then knows that you're there and you're you're work you're not working as hard with other groups. That's your introduction, isn't it? Yeah. Okay, he's here. Whereas what's lovely about big reaction is you can use that at that first table to elicit that reaction. 100%. If maybe, I don't know, it's early doors and everyone's sober. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 31:54

No, it's true. And the good thing is with it, it's the same with everything, you know, people do like warm-up acts will get you to clap or get you to cheer because it gets you used to doing that, you know. If you that's the thing, you know, in we always get it when we're filming trailers, you know, it's so hard because when you're recording it, people will react, but not in the way that they normally would. As soon as a camera stopped rolling, they go, Oh, how the h how did you do it? And they then react. And it's if you warm them up beforehand, whether that be a gig or any other thing, they get used to that reaction, and they're not as embarrassed to do it because they've already done it, you know, and they're used to it. Someone else in the room has cheered, so it's not weird if they then cheer. Um, yeah, it's just brilliant. And again, it's great to do in the stand-up, in your stand-up act, I do it in my stand-up hat as well. Tables, it's just brilliant. It's killer. Nyman's a legend for a reason. He is indeed.

SPEAKER_02 32:38

So that brings us on to your one item, which I always think that in this podcast this must be the hardest thing. Uh, one book and one item. So let's go for the book first. What book have you chosen?

SPEAKER_01 32:50

My do you know what? I don't read many magic books, I'm not gonna lie to you. Um, however, I have gone for Switch unfolding the Bill Switch. Very good book. Who's that by? That is I Have Forgotten. Okay, printed by Murphy's. I've forgotten who it's by. I think John Lovick, maybe. Okay, cool. I think I'm not too sure, I think so. Anyway, Unreal Book Killer, love it. I love the Bill Switch. Um, and on there is loads of different interpretations and handlings and methods and presentational ideas. Um, like something as simple as one of the routines in there, you borrow a note or something like that, and you draw on there a fish and a fishbowl. Um and you say, now we're gonna try some origami here with your note, the fish and the fishbowl. Check this out. If I fold it just like this, uh, we can make something crazy happen. When I snap and unfold it now, you will notice the fish is in the fishbowl, right? But now you can give that note back to them and you're reset ready to go again. So next time you just draw the fish inside the fishbowl, unfold it, and now the fish is outside the fishbowl. And you can just go round and round and round, constantly instant resetting yourself. And I just love the little quirky ideas with that, because I would never have thought about that, but that is just a nice little piece. Um, but there are other ideas in there as well. A massive shout out as well to Etienne, who's got something called Bureau de Change, which may be an Anakazam product. That's amazing. Not to big up Agazam, but big up Anakazam. But this is one of the best effects I think I've ever seen. If I could be the king of any trick in the world, it would be that. But Etienne has that title. He just does it so slicker to go. He's the guy.

SPEAKER_02 34:23

But I I would say so, um, again, not big enough Harry, but obviously I know Harry outside of this as well. And he showed me his build switch the other day, and it's excellent. So it almost feels like you're working through the stages to get to that effect.

SPEAKER_01 34:37

Yeah, I I've got it, and I've been speaking to Etienne about it recently, actually, and essentially, not that we're talking about Bureau de Change, but we're just talking about the build switch. But the book switch is definitely worth grabbing. Um, there's so many ideas in there, it's a big book, it looks great, it's printed brilliantly, and there's just loads of presentation ideas in there, and even ones that might help you in other areas of your magic. Sorry, I've got a really dry mouth right now.

SPEAKER_02 34:59

We need to make sure we have bottles of water or something.

SPEAKER_01 35:02

I have got one, but it's over by you, not by me. Um, but anyway, yeah, I would definitely get that book. But yeah, Bureau Bureau to Change by Etienne is basically an any currency bill switch. So um he's got so many touches on it, and again, you only get this from experience. And Etienne is the busiest performer that I know. And he's so quick with it. Have you seen performance? Yeah, he's quick. Unbelievable with it, he's so smooth. Um, and essentially you change the bill up or down, whatever he does, and then um he says, I'll tell you what, we can do it with any currency as well. Someone name a currency, go, some will say euros, you'll go, okay, uh, 50 or 100, uh 100, one bill or two, two, and then he produces two 50 pound notes, and or 50 euro notes, sorry. And he can do that then with any currency. So if someone then says Turkish lira, he goes, uh Turkish okay, right, let's try it now. He then does a bill switch to Turkish lira or African Rand, isn't it? Maybe Rand or something like that, or anything. It's unbelievable. But yeah, he's brilliant. For tables, walk around, build switches, you're so good. Borrows a note as well, borrow's an object. Brilliant.

SPEAKER_02 36:02

Good choice, and that takes us on to your probably the hardest thing. Uh your non-magic item that you couldn't live without because you use it in magic.

SPEAKER_01 36:12

This is, I feel like I'm cheating here, but I'm gonna say a good suit. I don't think that's cheating, I think that's fair enough. It fits the criteria, doesn't it? Yeah. For me, honestly, looking smart, feeling smart sets you up good. I've got an aftershave that I wear every time I gig, it feels like, alright, now it's now it's time to go. Do you know what I mean? It's funny, but it's like, okay, now's the time that we're gonna be performing. It gets me in the zone, but a mental zone. As soon as I smell that cologne, I think, right, that's it, let's go. Um, but the suit as well, right? So honestly, I've had um a lot of the times, um, like when I asked like a um a booker for a review or things like that, they often mention um that I was smartly dressed, and it's something that you don't often think about, but if someone rocks up, I mean, just I'm not just trying to pig him up, right? But uh, if any of you know Lewis Fuller, right? He always comes in. Every time he comes in, he looks smart, right? And you just think, Look smart. Do you know what I mean? He really sticks out, you just think, okay, I'll listen to what he's got. Do you know what I mean? I've got to listen to what he's got to say. And I just think whenever I go to gigs, if I feel smart and look smart, and obviously pocket space is important as well. Um, I bought a suit the other day, it had one pocket on the trousers, one on the bum. I sent that straight back. I sent that straight back because every single one of my suits has got pockets in the same area. Because what you don't want to do is fumble around or think, I've got all these tricks, what can I do? Because the good thing with um my walk-around set is I'll tell you exactly what's in each pocket right now. In my outside jacket pocket is stand-up Monty. On my inside pocket is uh in my inside um breast pocket, on my right hand side is my phone and my keys, on my left side is my wallet for if I do cart to wallet, on my outside left jacket pocket is Extreme Burn and Invisible Deck. In my back pockets are Big Reaction, in my right pocket is um Imagine, then I've got MD Mini in each of my or in one of my waistcoat pocket. In my other waistcoat pocket I've got um coins for coins across. Um and I think I've got pretty much everything covered, and I've got PK Touch in my blood because you don't need anything for that. Um but every time every single one of my suits has the same pocket formation um and it just looks smart because it's essential that you look when you turn up, you look good, you're ready to go.

SPEAKER_02 38:21

Yep. I think um there's there's a thing in acting where you can be in a a rehearsal and everything's good and it's all slick and smooth, but it isn't until you put the costume on that you become the character. 100% and and you don't give your all until and I think that's what a suit is all. I will say though, controversially, I don't think I'm I don't think that you have to wear a suit. I think that your dress should reflect who you are as a character. So some people have like a scruffy sort of suit. Great. If you look at someone like Steve Rowe, who's got like the purple suit, perfect because he has that sort of wonka-esque vibe going on. You look at Dan Sperry, his outfit is scary. Yeah. Um so I do think that your outfit has to reflect who you are as a character, it shouldn't be an extension of who you are.

SPEAKER_01 39:06

There's a wicked magician, Jamie Seagrave, and he doesn't wear a suit, he just wears like he just looks like a fashion model. Do you know what I mean? He looks wicked, but he doesn't wear a suit. But he just looks cool, and that is his character. And for me, I mean, I will always wear, no matter what the event is, I will always wear a three-piece suit because it just that's me in the zone then, you know. Um I think it looks slick, and I again I'll swing to Chris Harden, who again is a massive, just fantastic magician, unbelievable, and he's helped me so much. Same as you, Jem. I do appreciate everything you've done for me. Um, but um Chris Harden as well has given me so many tips, and he's like, right, let's look at your character. What are you gonna wear? For me, I can picture you wear like looking smart in a suit, and I've always worn a suit before, and I'll always wear a suit after because that just makes me feel like that's the performer I want to be. Um, but you are 100% right. Pick what you feel comfortable in as well. If you don't like wearing a suit, don't wear a suit. I don't wear ties, I don't like the feel of a tie, so I'm not gonna wear one. Whereas I know um Dean, Dean Levy again, wears ties, he looks brilliant, and he wears ties.

SPEAKER_02 40:02

He uh had a bow tie the other night that he he learnt to tie himself. And he when he was talking about it. He's got too much time on his hands, isn't he? He literally does. Um but when he was talking to me about it, it made perfect sense. So he said, if you buy it like a a pre-made bow tie, it looks too perfect, it doesn't look like you've done it yourself and it's authentic. He said there's something about doing it yourself, it makes it a little bit not perfect and it makes it feel more authentic. Like that level of detail is a it's true.

SPEAKER_01 40:31

It's honestly, I really think if you want to go, I mean, if you want to you look at the top performers, and I just think they everything they do actually think about, even actors or this or that, and it's we we actually had in a shop the other day, right, the head of security of Apple come into the store, right? He's a magician, he's such a nice guy, right? He was just talking about the level of detail, and it's it's not really relevant, but it kind of is the level of detail Apple go into with their products and packaging, and he was like, the slow, if you've ever had an iPhone or an Apple product, you lift the lid and it really slowly comes out, and it just he said it's just to build anticipation, and they thought about everything. I really think as a performer, you do have to think about everything, and really because some people might not notice it, but for the people that do, it's killer. And Mark James is big on this as well because he talks about it in his stage show, and his academies are brilliant as well, and he goes about in depth on them as well. One of the academies he speaks about, he's got so many like uh quotes from films and bits from films. Nine out of ten people aren't gonna pick up on it, but the people that do are gonna go up to him and think, Wow, it's so clever that you've done that, and that's the level of detail. And Mark James, again, fantastic performer, and he puts so much effort and detail, attention to detail in it. And I just think at the end of the day, this year, you are a performer. You do you not want to put effort in, really? Do you know what I mean? You want to really be on top of your game, and I just think, yeah, I mean, level of detail is important, but yeah, for me, a suit, same same pocket formation, free piece every time, because I know MD minis in that little pocket, business cards and coins in the other one. Um, and just get used to it, it's good. Good, solid choice. Thank you. So that brings us to the end of your desert island tricks. I've do you know what? Really enjoyed it, and I hope everyone at home did as well. And if not, then uh don't tell me because it's gonna make me sad. No, obviously.

SPEAKER_02 42:09

We we haven't got like a podcast email yet, so they can't write in and complain anyway. Well, they can ring up the shop because we've got family because I mate. Yeah, if you ever do want to talk to Harry, um call up the shop, he's always there.

SPEAKER_01 42:19

No, we are actually always there. And do you know what as well, guys? Just quickly, on the last Saturday of each month, we actually open our door. And we have so last time we done it, we had so many people come down, it was so much fun. You got to like meet other magicians and things like that. There was no like, oh, show us this trick, show us it. It's not like that. It's not like that. It's just a place to meet people, talk about things. Maybe you're you want to get uh you're thinking about getting a trick, and someone else in there has already got the trick and can like show you or give you tips or things like that, give you a bit more information. Um, and honestly, it's just such a good place to learn. And honestly, I've learned so much, obviously, knowing people like Jamie and doing the academies, I've learned so many tips from different people that I would never have known if I wasn't in obviously the situation. I mean, obviously, I'm blessed in the fact that I work at a magic shop and I'm surrounded by people at the top of their game. Um, but I would 100% really recommend coming down to the shop just to be around other magicians because someone might say something that will just be like, I've been looking for that for like years, like I've needed the answer to this question for years, and that one person said something that's just sorted out for me.

SPEAKER_02 43:24

It's like a a live version of this, really, isn't it? Because people recommend different things. 100%. Like we had a guy in a few weeks ago, didn't we, who wanted a certain trick. Yes. And then I said to him, you know, probably not the best version of that for you. Yeah. And then he ended up going for the other one. Yeah. Um, and that's what it's about, it's about experience, and we get to talk to lots of people with experience. Um, but just to be fair, if anyone does want to find out about you, you or Alakazam or um anything that's coming up, where do they go to?

SPEAKER_01 43:53

Um so Alakazam.co.uk, obviously. Um, also you can look at um well to be fair, I'm answer on there all the time anyway. I've got an email Alexan which is harry at alikazan.co.uk so if you've got any questions about anything else let us know but apart from that I think we're all good you know where to find us and where what about social media? Socials uh is Harry Nardi Magician and um Alakazan Magic Shop or Alexan Magic Limited on Facebook. And follow our socials we've got so much content coming out honestly it's insane and loads of beneficial stuff kids trick coins tricks mentalism we got everything covered so you may see something on there again that you've been looking to fill and we've got the perfect trick for you so have a look and this is this podcast is only one of many many things that are coming out this year.

SPEAKER_02 44:36

So if you want to be the first to find out about it it really is beneficial for you to check out all of the socials as well without a doubt. Without a doubt cannot wait honestly and I can't wait. And if you want to follow Harry's individual just him as a performer then do check out his social media um specifically his Instagram because not only does he post on there his magic but also his food which is also really good. I love food honestly I love it. He literally does anywho thank you very much everyone honestly means the world so with that we will see you again soon on another Desert Island tricks.

SPEAKER_00 45:08

Bye guys hi Peter Nardi here and I really hope you enjoyed that podcast I just wanted to make you know that Alakazam have their own app you can download it from the app store or the Google Play Store. By downloading the app it will make your shopping experience even slicker at Alakazam you'll also get exclusive in app offers and in app live streams so go download it now and we'll see you on the next podcast