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May 22, 2026 1 hr 42 min

Jean Luc Bertrand

from Desert Island Tricks Hosted by Alakazam Magic

The magic that stays with you isn’t always the trick you can describe, it’s the feeling you can’t shake. That’s where our conversation with French magician, creator, hypnotist and theatre performer Jean-Luc Bertrand begins: the rare moments that make a seasoned performer feel like a five-year-old seeing impossibility for the first time, and how we can build shows that give audiences that same hit of wonder. We get into the effects and performers that shaped Jean-Luc’s taste and philosophy, from Garrett Thomas’ legendary ID-style miracle to David Blaine’s extreme commitment and Derren Brown’s masterclass in scripting, structure, and hypnosis. Along the way we talk misdirection as intention, how to avoid performing on autopilot, and why the best professional magic is really about “writing memories” for people at the most important events of their lives. Jean-Luc also shares what he would banish from the magic industry: the lack of meaningful copyright norms and the casual attitude toward copying. We explore why originality is harder than buying the latest trick, and why ethics matter if magic is going to evolve. Plus, we tease Jean-Luc’s upcoming Murphy’s Magic release, the JLB Coin, and what makes it feel like real superpowers in the hands. Jean Luc’s Desert Island Tricks: Welcome Package. Card Under Tablecloth Drivers Licence Trick by Garrett Thomas David Blaine’s Frog From Mouth Derren Brown’s Card Under Box Creating a moment for a single audience member French Fries Production JLB Coin Yann Frisch Music Box Effect Banishment. Lack of Copyright in the Magic Industry Book. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Item. BIC Lighter Find out more about the creators of this Podcast at www.alakazam.co.uk

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The magic that stays with you isn’t always the trick you can describe, it’s the feeling you can’t shake. That’s where our conversation with French magician, creator, hypnotist and theatre performer Jean-Luc Bertrand begins: the rare moments that make a seasoned performer feel like a five-year-old seeing impossibility for the first time, and how we can build shows that give audiences that same hit of wonder. We get into the effects and performers that shaped Jean-Luc’s taste and philosop...

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Jean Luc Bertrand

0:00 1:42:04

Chapters

  1. 0:00 Talent Versus Real Craft
  2. 1:23 Meet Jean-Luc Bertrand
  3. 5:19 Staying In Love With Magic
  4. 10:04 The Desert Island Rules
  5. 10:42 Garrett Thomas And Pure Wonder
  6. 16:31 Misdirection That Feels Natural
  7. 18:56 David Blaine And Total Commitment
  8. 27:26 Derren Brown And The Power Of Script
  9. 38:09 Sending Audience Members Away
  10. 46:43 The Copperfield Fries Story
  11. 52:44 Custom Deck Sponsor Break
  12. 53:27 Teasing The JLB Coin
  13. 56:01 Jan Frisch And Storytelling Magic
  14. 1:02:36 The Music Box Dream Finale
  15. 1:10:32 Card On Tablecloth And Prep Love
  16. 1:15:49 Banishment Copyright And Copying
  17. 1:23:02 Books That Shape A Performer
  18. 1:28:12 The BIC Lighter As A Universal Prop
  19. 1:33:52 Where To Follow Jean-Luc
  20. 1:41:05 Alakazam Unlimited Closing Ad

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This episode is 1 hour and 42 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 22, 2026.

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