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PODCAST · arts

Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel

by Kane & Abel

Funny and fascinating stories from those working in the magic, comedy, circus and variety industry.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Mar 15, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. SCREAMING WITH LAUGHTER WITH HATTY ASHDOWN

    Hatty Ashdown Hatty Ashdown joins us to discuss working as a stand-up comedian, running a comedy show for new mums and her Next Up Comedy special. She chats about her 2022 Edinburgh Fringe show, napping audience members, guilt over the hot weather, grief and whether she can get her commemorative...

  2. CAMERON GIBSON

    Cameron Gibson Cameron Gibson joins us to discuss his brand new magic shop and venue Wonder & Co, Edinburgh Fringe 2023 and working at Jamie Allan’s Illusionarium in Canada. Plus, find out which of the following three stories is a lie as we play Would Me Lie To Thee. He has an estranged twin...

  3. ROCKSTAR MAGICIAN ARRON JONES

    Arron Jones quit his jobs as an unsatisfied clone close-up magician to work for the Government. He joins us to chat about now quitting that Government role to become a full-time Rockstar magician. Also, in Would Me Lie To Thee, find out which of these three facts about Arron is the lie and which...

  4. AN ABSURD RETURN WITH AVA BEAUX

    After a lengthy hiatus, Talking Tricks returns with an Absurd new outlook. Meet our new co-host Ava Beaux and hear all about the new show Absurd that Kane & Abel and Ava Beaux will be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. We also introduce a brand new feature. Would Me Lie To Thee when guests will...

  5. BLACKPOOL MAGIC CONVENTION PREVIEW

    We preview the Blackpool Magic Convention with our hot take on which lectures, shows and performers you cannot afford to miss. Listen to our exclusive interviews with Max Maven, Ben Hart and Magic Sam to find out what you can expect from their performances at the convention. All this and much…

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  6. TONY MIDDLETON

    Tony Middleton joins us to discuss his journey to producing and performing two weekly West End shows in London and launching a magic bar Maskelyne & Cooke in the capital. He tells us how stopping for a coffee in a hotel in St Pancras led to gaining a gig as the resident magician, producing shows...

  7. RICHARD FILBY

    Richard Filby joins us to discuss the London opening of his full evening variety show The Richard Filby Spectacule. Richard talks about what led to him finally getting his show off and running above a vintage clothes shop in London, breaking his foot the night before he was last set to open a…

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  8. TALKING MIRACLES: JESUS CHRIST

    We gear up for Christmas by talking the miracles of Jesus with Christian magician Mark Watson. Mark gives us the full story behind Jesus's iconic miracles and his lesser known ones, plus how they have inspired magicians from Paul Daniels and Penn & Teller to Barry & Stewart and Criss Angel and...

  9. TIERNAN DOUIEB // GENERAL ELECTION PREVIEW

    Tiernan Douieb joins us to talk being a political comedian and preview the upcoming British General Election. Tiernan tells us what led to him becoming a political comedian, discusses touring as the support act for Frankie Boyle and gives his predictions for this week's General Election. He also...

  10. BRACE YOURSELF ... IT'S TOM BRACE

    Tom Brace joins us to discuss embarking on a 30-day UK headline tour, finding the perfect blend of magic show to be fun for all the family but not 'too kiddy' and getting his start in magic with a sell out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We also talk close-up magic gigs in London…

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  11. THE AMAZING JONATHAN DOCUMENTARY

    Kane & Abel are joined by fellow magicians to discuss the incredible The Amazing Jonathan Documentary following its preview screening at 98 UK cinemas and live Q&A session with Director Ben Berman conducted by Louis Theroux on November 19th 2019. Neil Kelso and Chris Cook chat with Laurence Abel...

  12. CHRIS COOK

    Chris Cook joins us to discuss trusting a real audience member with a real arrow to finish his show, his Tedx Talk, what makes a good trick and his highs and lows from more than half a decade at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Chris also reveal what led to him being named Wedding Magician of the...

  13. THAT MIND READER GUY KEN DYNE

    Whether you know him as Ken Dyne, Kennedy or just that mind reader guy with the white hair you will know that he is one of the best mentalists on the planet. Ken joins us to discuss how his career only got started because he was showing off with mind reading on a date in a pub, inspirations from...

  14. EDINBURGH HORROR FEST WITH ASH PRYCE AND THERESA DEWA

    Ash Pryce and Theresa Dewa join us to discuss this year’s Edinburgh Horror Festival. We talk about this year’s programme, including everything from horror stand-up comedy and magic to theatre, movies, drag, poetry, Rocky Horror Picture Show and guided tours. We also discuss the history of…

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  15. DAVE ALNWICK

    Dave Alnwick joins Talking Tricks to discuss thirteen full houses in a row at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and everything he’s learnt in his time at the world’s largest arts festival. Dave reveals why he is more inspired by authors Dan Harmon and Stephen King than other magicians, adding a...

  16. SPLIT EGG PREVIEW + TOP 10 TWINS OF ALL TIME

    Kane & Abel preview their show SPLIT EGG: A Magic Show About Being Twins and discuss everything that led to it making its London debut. Find out the one question everyone asked that inspired the show’s concept, its name, narrative and two-year journey to opening in the UK’s capital. They also...

  17. CHRIS COX

    The ‘mind reader who can’t read minds’ Chris Cox joins Talking Tricks to discuss the latest West End run of The Illusionists, the upcoming Broadway run and what it’s really like to be a member of the world’s largest touring magic show. Chris also discusses his role in Harry Potter and the Cursed...

  18. CHRIS CROSS

    Enigmatic contortionist and magician Chris Cross joins Talking Tricks to discuss his upcoming tour of the North East, performing onstage with David Blaine during his UK tour and coming into ownership of Paul Daniels' former illusions. Chris also discusses his relationship with Paul Daniels and...

  19. KIERON LEFEVER nee JOHNSON

    Regardless of if you know him as Kieron Lefever, Kieron Johnson or Kieron The Mighty you will know Kieron as one of the most inventive and highly-regarded magicians on the planet. He joins us on Talking Tricks to discuss being one of just seven known regurgitators on the planet and how it feels…

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  20. ROBERT TEMPLE

    Hypnotist Robert Temple discusses his career from performing in pubs in Newcastle aged just seventeen to headline theatre tours via summer seasons and student union gigs. Robert also talks about his recent Edinburgh Fringe run and upcoming tour, the public perception of hypnosis and how to change...

  21. EDINBURGH NIGHTS: FRINGE PREVIEW

    Kane & Abel are joined by Man of Mischief Mark Watson to preview the 72nd Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We give you our top tips on the best magic, cabaret, comedy, musicals, children's shows and theatre on offer this year. We also randomly flick through the guide and highlight shows that standout....

  22. MAGIC SINGH

    Magic Singh talks performing magic at 10 consecutive Glastonbury festivals, the problems that come with using knives and paint ball guns in magic, marketing yourself on Instagram and becoming an influencer, weddings and corporate gigs, his inspirations and TV appearances from the Friday Night...

  23. DESSERT ISLAND DISHES

    We’ve washed up some of our favourite magicians, comedians and variety performers on a desert island and given them just one dessert for the rest of their lives. Find out what delicious puddings Talking Tricks alumni Paul Dabek, Ben Hart, Charlie Caper, Ava Beaux, Maggie Fayne, Magic Sam Hurst,...

  24. GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL PREVIEW

    Ahead of their six performances at Glastonbury Festival this week, Kane & Abel are joined by genuine festival punter David Lowe to preview everything the festival has to offer. Find out the top tips for who to watch from the world of music, magic, comedy, cabaret, circus and variety during the...

  25. STEVE BEST

    Steve Best joins us on Talking Tricks to discuss his 30-year career as a magician, comedian and photographer. Best discusses the biggest changes in the industry during his career, touring with the likes of Frank Skinner and Harry Hill, nearly suing Joe Pasquale, getting his start playing guitar…

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  26. MARK WATSON: MAN OF MISCHIEF

    Man of Mischief and juggler and magician extraordinaire Mark Watson joins us to tell his incredible journey from overworked London City banker to full-time professional performer. Hear how magic legend Paul Daniels inspired both his interest in magic and led to him studying business and becoming…

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  27. DOM CHAMBERS

    Australian magician Dom Chambers joins us to talk performing his beer production magic act on Penn & Teller Fool Us, his upcoming appearance on the new season of America's Got Talent and what it is like being a professional magician in Australia. Dom won the Best Magic Show award at this year's...

  28. MAGICAL BONES

    Magical Bones joins us on Talking Tricks to discuss his incredible magic career including a worldwide tour with Impossible and his own TV series Around the World in 80 Tricks. He talks about starting his performance career as a hip-hip B-boy dancer on the streets in London, stage and in music...

  29. THE MOST ICONIC ANIMALS IN MAGIC AND CIRCUS

    On Talking Tricks, we assemble a crack team of magic experts to discuss the most iconic and notorious animals in magic history. Learn about the most famous animals in magic and variety including tigers, ducks, chickens, goldfish, otters, snacks, doves, horses and octopus. Also hear the stories…

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  30. KATIE PRITCHARD // MUSICAL COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR

    Katie Pritchard is the brand new recipient of the Musical Comedy Award and she joins us to talk all about winning this prestigious award. She chats about what the award means and what she actually gets, as well as performing multiple shows at the Brighton Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, Cambridge…

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  31. Smoke & Mirrors: The Psychology of Magic with Dr Matt Tompkins

    Psychologist and Magician Dr Matt Tompkins joins us to discuss the brand new Smoke & Mirrors: The Psychology of Magic exhibition, which runs until September 15th at The Welcome Collection gallery in London. Matt discusses his live performances as part of the exhibition, the artefacts within the...

  32. MAGIC SAM HURST

    Magic Sam Hurst joins us to share his incredible story from sleeping rough to being crowned UK Family Entertainer of the Year 2019. Sam also talks about working at magic bars in Manchester and Bristol, his TV stardom on BBC's Let me Entertain You and Magic House Party, running his own night the...

  33. SAMS CONVENTION PREVIEW

    Find out everything you need to know about the SAMS Convention. Is it a convention solely for people named Sam, or is it in fact the Scottish Association of Magic Societies? It's the latter and we are joined by the SAMS President Elliott Bibby to discuss everything the convention has to offer…

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  34. KEVIN QUANTUM

    Kevin Quantum joins us to discuss his fascinating journey from reality TV contestant to globe-trotting magician. He talks about what it was like learning from magic legends Penn & Teller, Pat Page, Paul Daniels and Nigel Mead as part of the Channel 4 show Faking It, combining science and magic…

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  35. HULK HOGAN'S BAD AT MAGIC AND OTHER WRESTLERS ARE GOOD // WRESTLEMANIA

    On Talking Tricks, Laurence Abel is joined by special guest host Magic Sam Hurst to discuss whether or not Hulk Hogan is the worst magician of all time. In 1998, Hulk Hogan tried – and failed – to win a wrestling match by performing a magic trick. We look at what went wrong and also discuss the...

  36. BEN HART

    Ben Hart joins us on Talking Tricks for a heart to heart as he tells all about his enviable career in magic. He spills the beans on working with Penn & Teller on their upcoming Magic Goes Wrong production with Mischief Theatre, life on tour and his new magic book for magicians. Ben also chats…

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  37. JDEN REDDEN // EXPERT AT THE CARD TABLE

    The Expert at the Card Table: How To Cheat At Cards is one of the most iconic books on magic and the inspiration behind Jden Redden’s award-winning Adelaide Fringe show. Jden spills the beans on what we do and don’ know about the elusive author of the book, why it inspired his show, the role of...

  38. FML WITH MAGGIE FAYNE

    F**K My Life' is a circus and physical theatre show about ugly truths, sharing a little too much and owning parts of ourselves we tried to get rid of long ago. The show tackles everything from drug addiction and the death of a parent to paralysing accidents, becoming a single parent and…

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  39. ADELAIDE TOUR DIARY JUKEBOX

    A break from our traditional format for Talking Tricks as Laurence Abel brings you an exclusive podcast from Singapore departure lounge on route to performing Breaking the Magicians' Code with Kane & Abel at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Find out what his top tips for what to see, do and eat in...

  40. AVA BEAUX

    On Talking Tricks this week, we are joined by magician Ava Beaux. Ava discusses being one of the house magicians at the UK’s top magic venue Smoke & Mirrors in Bristol and her time at its former sister venue Illusions. She also tells us why there isn’t more female magicians, why she likes her...

  41. ESCAPE ANY RUT WITH FRANKIE COTE

    Musician, Drag act, Blogger and Author Frankie Cote joins Talking Tricks to discuss his incredible and heart-wrenching story. Frankie had the world at his feet as a promising musician with support slots for Example, Kaiser Chiefs and other music stars but fell into a debilitating rut of…

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  42. ELLIOT BIBBY

    If you’ve ever considered performing at a wedding you need to listen to this. Joining us on Talking Tricks is professional magician and professional wedding crasher Elliott Bibby. Bibby discusses performing at an average of two weddings a week, the different packages he offers, the best and worst...

  43. MAX MAVEN

    Max Maven joins Talking Tricks this week to offer a rare insight into the mind of one of the world's greatest ever mentalists and mind readers. Max discusses his career at length, from his start buying 10c magic magazines in Boston to headlining the biggest comedy clubs in the US and being the...

  44. LUCHA BRITANNIA

    Garry Vanderhorne and Greg Burridge – the men behind the phenomenal Lucha Britannia – join Talking Tricks to talk about the iconic cult variety show that is part cabaret, part wrestling event. The chaps discuss what led to them starting Lucha Britannia, why they chose to include cabaret acts as...

  45. STEVE DELA

    Steve Dela joins us to discuss winning more magic competitions than any other UK magician and the doors that these awards have opened for him. The Shropshire-born magician talks about his move to London which resulted in him working five residencies a week, getting fewer tips than Dynamo, his top...

  46. BARELY METHODICAL TROUPE

    This week on Talking Tricks, we are joined by contemporary circus company the Barely Methodical Troupe to discuss their show Shift which opens the London International Mime Festival this week. BMT Co-Founders Charlie Wheeler and Louis Gift along with fellow cast members Esmeralda Nikolajeff and...

  47. PETE FIRMAN THE GHOST OF PODCAST PAST // CHRISTMAS TV PREVIEW

    Happy Christmas from Talking Tricks and to celebrate the 'most wonderful time of the year' we are joined by the ghost of Christmas past Pete Firman. What does this mean? Well, about seven years ago we interviewed the UK's number one comedy magician Pete Firman to discuss his current (at that…

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  48. THE SESSION PREVIEW WITH ANDI GLADWIN

    This week, we are joined by Andi Gladwin to talk about the upcoming The Session convention in January that he organises with his Vanishing Inc business partner Joshua Jay. Andi discusses exactly what to expect from the three-day convention starring Mac King, Max Maven, Ben Hart, Andy Nyman, Dani...

  49. ODDBALLS

    Alex Oddball joins us this week to talk about his family's amazing journey to owning and running the world's largest juggling company. He talks us through the incredible chance meeting of his parents that only happened because his dad dropped a juggling ball, their humble beginnings selling...

  50. PAUL NATHAN

    Celebrity magician Paul Nathan joins us on Talking Tricks to discuss his phenomenal career, from starting out performing close-up magic in nightclubs for the rich and the famous in LA including Prince and Grace Jones to his iconic performances at Glastonbury Festival and how he inadvertently...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Funny and fascinating stories from those working in the magic, comedy, circus and variety industry.

HOSTED BY

Kane & Abel

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel have?

Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel currently has 57 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel about?

Funny and fascinating stories from those working in the magic, comedy, circus and variety industry.

How often does Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel release new episodes?

Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel has 57 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel?

You can listen to Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel?

Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel is created and hosted by Kane & Abel.
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