He has long blond hair, wears a glitter suit and speaks in superlatives. Hans Klok is the Netherlands' most successful export in illusion — a man who conquered Las Vegas, Berlin and Amsterdam with his own formula: speed, choreography and pure spectacle.
From Purmerend to Las Vegas
Born in 1969 in Purmerend, Hans Klok was already obsessed with magic at six. By sixteen he did paid shows; at 24 he was the Netherlands' youngest solo headliner with his own theatre show. In 2003 he moved to Las Vegas for a residency.
His breakthrough came with the show 'The Beauty of Magic' in 2007 at Planet Hollywood, with Pamela Anderson as special guest. It sold out for 200 shows. He was called 'the world's fastest magician' — a title he still carries today.
The speed record
Hans Klok holds the Guinness record for most illusions within 10 minutes: 16. That sounds simple, but each illusion requires minutes of preparation and logistics. He does them all at rapid pace, with choreography from his assistants that comes across as almost acrobatic.
His shows are a combination of classical illusions (sawing a woman, levitation, transformation), pyrotechnics, fashion show and music. It is not subtle magic; it is a big LED show with the magician in the middle — and it works for the audience he appeals to.
- ✦Guinness World Record: 16 illusions in 10 minutes
- ✦Own annual Christmas show 'The Houdini Experience' in the Netherlands since 2007
- ✦Worked with Pamela Anderson, Brigitte Nielsen, stars worldwide
Hans Klok in the Netherlands
Since 2007 Hans Klok does a giant theatre show in the Netherlands every winter, often at AFAS Live and regularly on TV. He has introduced a whole Dutch generation to grand illusion magic — for many his show is their first live magic experience ever.
He is a polarised figure: the general public adores him, but among fellow magicians there is criticism of his theatrical style. Yet his impact is undeniable: he has brought magic in the Netherlands back to the main stage. Magicians like Sudesh Roman appreciate him as a pioneer for the Dutch-speaking market.
Hans Klok proved Dutch magic can be international. Scale, speed and showmanship made him the Dutch face of modern illusion.