You may want to ask Pete Heat down to the pub after the show to bask in his warm, childlike grin and offhand, surreal humour. However, for all his loveable qualities, this particular show lacks pace and offers up some tricks which seem to showcase little more than his good memory.
The whole thing explodes with an absurd bang and an unexpected laugh at the audience’s expense. Heat sets the bar high with this, and the format of, ‘You thought I was just joking, but wait,’ in magical comedy is a successful one which he delivers with a cheeky smile. However, as soon as this first section of the show is over, although there are some excellent weasel-related moments, there is less originality. Those who frequent this genre of show will recognise several effects as being rather standard and the ones which seem unique to Heat’s act fall rather flat; a trick involving his transcending and defeating the free will of some audience members required Heat to egg on the applause.
Heat has such a charming and likeable stage persona that he mainly manages to pull off tricks you’ve seen many times before, with merely the addition of his own abstract brand of comedy slathered all over them. His use of video is fun and adds a nice structure to the show, but if not for Heat’s winning personality, it might have be all too obvious that we were watching someone a little slapdash take on an art form which demands precision.
Maybe Heat would find his place better as part of a group or in a different format of show; there is no doubt that he is a born entertainer and there were constant belly-laughs throughout this magical adventure. It’s just a shame that the magic isn’t quick as slick or fast-paced as it needs to be to make you come away feeling suitably surprised and amazed. It’s a really fun hour with a delightful performer; there’s no doubt that Pete Heat is going somewhere good, it’s just not clear where, how or when.
