SleightfulBen Hanlin's Desert Island Tricks
Ben Hanlin, the celebrated British magician from shows like 'Tricked' and 'Breaking Magic', shares the eight effects that defined his career in a deep dive into modern magic. He recounts personal stories, such as performing needle swallowing for Kim Kardashian on a yacht and saving a £10,000 car vanish illusion from disaster due to temperature changes, highlighting the blend of creativity, psychology, and quick thinking required in professional magic. Hanlin analyzes why certain tricks like the water torture escape or beer production resonate with audiences, offering insights into audience psychology and critiquing outdated props like purse frames. His desert island picks include Multiple Selection, Needle Swallow, Moving Car Vanish, Manip Act, Sam the Bellhop, Beer Production, Phone in Fish, and Water Torture Escape, while he banishes routines like rope-around-neck effects. He recommends Tommy Wonder's 'Books of Wonder' and uses Evernote for organization, emphasizing that magic's power lies in emotional connection and simplicity of method for maximum impact.
Tricks mentioned
Key points
Ben Hanlin shares eight key tricks that defined his career, including Multiple Selection and Needle Swallow.
He discusses high-pressure moments, like saving a car vanish illusion from temperature-related failure.
Hanlin emphasizes the importance of audience psychology and emotional connection in magic performances.
He critiques outdated props such as purse frames and recommends creativity tools like Evernote.
The conversation covers his journey from street performances to television, highlighting adaptability and problem-solving.