Darlington Hippodrome – until 2 February 2019
4****
Maple Tree Entertainments present The Simon and Garfunkel Story direct from its West End run.
Before the show I confessed I was hard pressed to name any songs by the duo other than Bridge Over Troubled Water. My friend, an avid fan, then started to reel off song names leaving me hoping I would recognise the tunes.
Set out as concert type performance with a potted history between the songs from the very talented performers Sam O’Hanlon (Paul Simon) and Charles Blyth (Art Garfunkel). Starting with the Sound of Silence the show explores the early days in High School and during their first band name of Tom and Jerry. The end of the first act finishes in 1967, just they were getting to be well known.
The second act begins with Mrs Robinson, the theme from the film The Graduate and runs at breakneck speed through the main hits up to present day, with a musical interlude during a quick change of Paul Simon solo stuff from the 80’s.
We were encouraged to join in the singing and provided the back track to a few songs as we were told to clap in certain patterns. The boys kept tight harmonies whilst acting their parts – O’Hanlon looking intense and Blyth staring off dreamily to the middle distance. It was, of course, filled with familiar songs – Homeward Bound, I Am A Rock, A Hazy Shade of Winter, Scarborough Fair, Cecilia, America and The Boxer to name a few. Simon and Garfunkel always finished their shows with a song by their heroes The Everly Brothers and our show was finished with Bye Bye Love.
But obviously the show didn’t end there – we had a few more finale songs to go and it was worth the wait to the end for the phenomenal version of Bridge Over Troubled Water that we were treated to.
Whether a fan – like my friend, or someone who enjoys a good tune – like me. This is a fabulous show. With live musicians, incredible vocals and sublime harmonies this is a show not to be missed
In Darlington until Saturday 2 February and on tour around the UK