ZARINA POTAPOVA

 

Zarina Potapova, born on December 16, 1968 in Voronezh, Russia, spent five years at the dance conservatory in Voronezh and four years at the dance academy in Moscow. In 2007, Hans Klok and The Divas of Magic had the opportunity to perform at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The show was called The Beauty of Magic and as a ‘special assistant’ was asked "Baywatch" - star Pamela Anderson. Hollywood star Bruce Willis would talk to each other the first night. In 2008 Zarina made with Hans there eighth show ‘Live from Las Vegas’. A tour through Europe. Furthermore, in March 2010 acts were performed in Mexico. That year they were also shown with the theater show Hurricane and later followed their own Christmas show, also performed in major cities in Germany and Austria. In December 2011 a large German tour followed with the program Magie der Weihnacht. There was in 2012 a performance on The BBC's The One Show, a surprise act at Stella McCartney's Fashion Dinner, and they played at The Peacock Theater in London's West End for five weeks with The Houdini Experience. In 2014 they participated in the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo. In 2016 was the show House of Horror in theaters. They were also several times a guest in the annual French TV program "Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Mond". Perry from Moov.nl spoke to the very friendly Zarina Potapova because of an interview for the internet site.

 

001.How did you meet Hans Klok?

       I was a dancer looking for work. Then someone introduced me in the world of magic. Which was not with Hans yet. I had only seen him on TV and I

       absolutely loved that. Then I only wanted to do magic with Hans. One day I came home and then the phone went. It was Hans's manager. She asked

       me to work for him and then left me her number. When I heard that I was completely over the moon and danced around the room, haha. I knew it was

       all right when I met Hans eventually. Immediately I was enthusiastic, because I really wanted this. There are only about five hundred people around

       the world who practice this magic. Hans is one of them.

002.Which illusion of Hans do you like the most?

       Oh, I can't name one of those. I like to do everything. And in terms of performances was Las Vegas of course great, but also the act at the FIFA of

       football. That was then broadcast live in 120 countries. That was the biggest performance ever for us. It was a big challenge, but you could see how

       good we were. So that has also been very important for us.

003.How do you look back on the Las Vegas adventure from 2007?

       Bruce Willis, who presented the opening night, was very friendly and actually bigger than I expected. It was a lot of fun to work with Pamela

       Anderson. She is a real workaholic. I didn't know how she was, but she's very nice.

004.For The Divas of Magic, Hans had with Sittah another assistant. She is now herself illusionist. Do you have the ambition to become an

       illusionist too?

       No, I don't want that, the same as what Sittah does. I find a female illusionist nothing. I like the combination between man and woman more.

005.Your work is about speed and confidence. Goes there sometimes an illusion wrong where you if an assistant was injured?

       Of course something happens sometimes. But you have to train yourself then to forget those things. If you do that, it often goes well. That’s also

       you’re partner relationship you have with each other. You have to concentrate during the show and keep confidence in your partner. So in my case

       Hans. I have never thought of it what age I would like to quit. I am now 51 years old. As long as I like it myself to do this and the audience likes to see

       me, I don't want to stop.

006.What can we expect from you in the showbiz area in the future?

       Since July 2019, Hans Klok has been performing with his new show Magic at the Castle in the Thunderland Showroom of the Excalibur Hotel on the

       Las Vegas Strip in America. Each show there is room for 425 people. As one of The Divas of Magic I joint this show.

 

For more information about Hans Klok, visit https://hansklok.nl/ and https://excalibur.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/hans-klok.html.

 

Interview: Perry Krootjes