Alan Rorrison

Desert Island Tricks

Meet one of Scotland's most creative magical minds as Alan Rorrison takes us through the eight effects he couldn't live without. Known for his prolific creativity and innovative approach to magic, Alan reveals how his performance style has evolved toward more organic props and scripted presentations that put participants at the centre of the experience.

The conversation delivers powerful insights about performing philosophy, with Alan explaining why he now approaches tables empty-handed rather than with cards visibly ready. "They were making a presupposition on what I was going to do before I'd done it, and I didn't like it," he shares, describing how this simple change transformed audience engagement.

What makes this episode particularly fascinating is Alan's commitment to using everyday objects rather than obviously magical props. From his three-coin routine "Trivium" to his custom-built magic watch, each selection reveals a thoughtful approach that emphasises strong magic over flashy presentations. Even when discussing playing cards, Alan rejects the notion that expensive designer decks are necessary: "For a spectator, a playing card is a piece of paper with a drawing on it."

Perhaps most revealing is Alan's decision to banish smoke effects, despite having created a successful product in that category earlier in his career. His willingness to acknowledge when cultural shifts have diminished an effect's impact demonstrates the self-awareness that has kept his magic relevant for decades.

Don't miss the touching story of how his signed copy of Card Warp mysteriously found its way back to him years after being lost, a moment of "real magic" that perfectly captures why we fall in love with this art form in the first place.

Alan's Desert Island Tricks:

1. Triivium Coins
2. The Key
3. Cerberus Wallet
4. Okito Box
5. Deck of Cards
6. Watch
7. Rubiks Cube
8. PK Ring

Banishment. Smoke Devices

Book. Complete Walton Vol 1

Item. Phone

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

Chapters

1. Returning Lost Magic Books (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Alan Rorrison (00:01:42)

3. Putting Together the Desert Island List (00:05:26)

4. Trivium: Three Coin Production and Vanish (00:08:48)

5. The Key: A Linking Key Effect (00:15:28)

6. The Wallet: Sophisticated Peek System (00:20:33)

7. Akito Box: Brass Box for Coin Magic (00:26:07)

8. Playing Cards and Card Magic (00:32:12)

9. The Watch: Custom-Built for Magic (00:40:05)

10. Rubik's Cube Magic (00:45:50)

11. PK Ring: Underutilized Prop (00:54:26)

12. Banishing Smoke Devices (00:56:32)

13. Complete Walton Volume One (01:00:40)

14. Non-Magic Item: Smartphone (01:08:16)