The Simon & Garfunkel Story continues at the Lyric Theatre, London on 6 November and 4 December (2017); 22 January, 26 February and 26 March (2018).
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Simon & Garfunkel are regarded, to this day, as a beacon for most prospective musical artists. Forming a show which pays a fitting tribute is a daunting task, and one which requires a duo at the forefront with an iron-clad understanding and sensitivity towards the material.
Our two tributes do not disappoint. It’s clear, even as the first few notes of that iconic tertian harmony ring out across the Lyric, that Charles Blyth (Art) and Sam O’Hanlon (Paul) could very well be the closest thing to hearing Simon & Garfunkel at their peak.
With the immediate presence and quiet confidence of the men themselves, Blyth and O’Hanlon beckon us into the twilight with ‘The Sound Of Silence’ before steering us through their greatest hits, from rockers to ballads and beyond.
The two are not only masters of their own vocal control, but have been well pitched together and their blended sound hearkens to that perfect alchemy of vulnerability and strength.
O’Hanlon, as Paul Simon, handles the spotlight well, playing those tricky guitar patterns with instinctive ease, and his version of ‘Kathy’s Song’ is an absolute delight.
Similarly, Blythe – as Garfunkel – nails the melodies beautifully with a soaring, feathery tone, which translates into a raw power when allowed free. His rendition of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ is not to be missed.
Supporting them with concrete musicianship is Adam Smith (keyboards), Leon Camfield (bass) and Mat Swales (drums).
Paul Simon’s music can be deceptive, harmonically and rhythmically, but these guys click together with style (and some frankly enthralling dance moves).
Graham Penn and Chris Crowther of Electric Pulse Productio must also be given huge credit for an intelligent and nuanced sound design which is somehow incredibly faithful to the nostalgic quality of the era, supporting, within the grand Lyric, a mesmerising intimacy and timelessness.
It is disheartening, then, that Dean Elliott’s production chooses to drop that enigma and atmosphere completely between each set to follow the bemusing convention of classroom-style narration.
While Elliott has done an artful job with the structure and the musical arrangement of the piece, the script feels like a rather lazy afterthought.
It’s not as if there’s a lack of story to mine from the lives of two men who at one point surpassed The Beatles in their heights, and who famously struggled through artistic and personal conflict for most of their time together.
Any lover of Simon & Garfunkel would expect to come away with bigger morsels of interest from this self-proclaimed story, and really get to grips with the humans behind the music.
Despite a valiant and eager effort by O’Hanlon, in particular, to enliven the tale, it is clear that the art of the anecdote, for the most part, is lost.
Redeeming the curiosity a little though is Josh Wood and Dean Elliott’s video creation projected above the action – now here are some fascinating portraits, context-setters and curiosities displayed throughout. Well-synchronised to the action and closely nuanced within the set, they tell a far stronger story than the words do.
The evening roars to a close with spirits high and an audience on its feet.
Though there is a cast recording, there is nothing quite like hearing this music live, and for the musical performances and atmosphere, it’s worth every cent.
Aura Simon
Tickets for The Simon & Garfunkel Story continues at the Lyric Theatre are available HERE.
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