During the Fringe you will see many men and women suffering pain and humiliation in the name of entertainment but few do it with the same aplomb as Carl-Einar Häckner. I mean, how many people can crowbar a large harmonica into their mouth and play it?
Häckner sells himself on being one of the worst entertainers in the world and while his clowning and slapstick hints at this, he finds it hard to hide his real expertise. This is an odd criticism to make of a performer but when you’re aiming to be a buffoon it isn’t done to appear so dexterous and skilled whilst doing so.
While Häckner’s magical skits are marvellous, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto on harmonica being a particular favourite, his links are weak and lack the drive to keep the show going. This largely hinges on his desire for audience participation, which he eventually cajoles into half-hearted life at the expense of flow.
At the moment Heart falls short of brilliance but Häckner definitely has the potential to exhilarate a younger audience, as long as parents don’t mind a couple of swears.
3/5
Richard Biggs
