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Sep 11, 2026 1 hr 32 min

Michael J Fitch

from Desert Island Tricks Hosted by Alakazam Magic

He’s performed for Queen Elizabeth II, he’s a resident magician in Gordon Ramsay restaurants and he’s Vice President of The Magic Circle, but he still geeks out over the same question every working magician wrestles with: what actually works when you’re in the trenches night after night? We sit down with Michael J. Fitch for a wide-ranging, laugh-out-loud conversation that turns into a practical guide to building a set that plays for real people, not just magicians. Michael breaks down how a single choice, doing magic for the restaurant staff in the kitchen, sparked an 11-year run with Ramsay venues and why those behind-the-scenes moments create the biggest career leverage. We also talk Magic Circle, from conventions and tributes to what’s coming next, including the Magic Circle Awards evening, seasonal shows and a Houdini celebration at the London Hippodrome. Then we “maroon” Michael on a magical desert island and force the hard decisions: one normal deck, eight effects, one book, one non-magic utility item, and one thing he’d happily bury forever. Expect memorised deck ambition with a modern training twist using ChatGPT, signature spoon bending with a Uri Geller story, underrated paddle magic, the tiny plunger, rope work, Doc Eason-inspired bar material, multiplying bottles, egg bag and a Cube Zag illusion tied to Wayne Dobson. We also go on a needed rant about negativity in magic and why judging a show by the audience reaction matters more than magicians expectations. Michael’s Desert Island Tricks: Welcome Pack: Memorised Deck Spoon Bending Howzatt Tiny Plunger Rope Money to Lemon / All of Doc Eason’s material Multiplying Bottles Egg Bag Cube-Zag Banishment. Negativity in Magic Book. Notes from a Fellow Traveller Item. Mobile Phone Find out more about the creators of this Podcast at www.alakazam.co.uk

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He’s performed for Queen Elizabeth II, he’s a resident magician in Gordon Ramsay restaurants and he’s Vice President of The Magic Circle, but he still geeks out over the same question every working magician wrestles with: what actually works when you’re in the trenches night after night? We sit down with Michael J. Fitch for a wide-ranging, laugh-out-loud conversation that turns into a practical guide to building a set that plays for real people, not just magicians. Michael breaks down ...

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Michael J Fitch

0:00 1:32:35

Chapters

  1. 0:00 Cold Open And Guest Arrival
  2. 4:40 Life As A Full Time Magician
  3. 8:10 Gordon Ramsay Restaurant Residency Story
  4. 14:20 Magic Circle Events And Awards Night
  5. 28:20 Building A Desert Island Magic List
  6. 32:10 Memorized Deck Goals And ChatGPT Practice
  7. 41:50 Signature Spoon Bending And Big Names
  8. 49:30 Paddle Cricket Bat And Simple Props
  9. 57:30 Tiny Plunger Routine And Trade Shows
  10. 1:05:30 Rope Magic And Wayne Dobson Legacy
  11. 1:14:00 Money To Lemon And Worker Material
  12. 1:23:10 Multiplying Bottles And Audience Perspective

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This episode is 1 hour and 32 minutes long.

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This episode was published on September 11, 2026.

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