The Simon and Garfunkel Story, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - review
A standing ovation was the very fitting end to the excellent Simon & Garfunkel Story.
The show was performed at a Theatre Severn on Tuesday.
The show follows the rise of the eponymous folk/rock duo from their friendship in school born of a mutual love of the Everley Brothers; through a short lived 50s rock n roll act called 'Tom & Jerry'; to all their greatest hits as Simon & Garfunkel.
The show combines actual video footage with narration and faultless harmonies.
The audience is taken album by album through the duo's rise in popularity until their untimely split following their most successful album, Bridge Over a Troubled Water, in the early 1970s.
The climatic final act recreates their sell out reunion at Central Park in 1981.
The music was sublime, performed by Sam O'Hanlon as Paul Simon and Charles Blyth as Art Garfunkel.
It swung from the tear jerking melancholy of songs such as 'Old Friends' and Bridge Over Troubled Water', to the raucous hand clapping audience participation in Cecilia, Mrs Robinson and Late in The Evening.
The song writing talent of Paul Simon was well showcased with the haunting poetry of America and Only Living Boy in New York, to name only a few.
Charles Blyth, in particular, bore a strong resemblance to Art Garfunkel mimicking his mannerisms and tight curls, he later confided he had endured a perm.
Sam O'Hanlon's guitar playing and voice were strong and sounded very like Paul Simon himself. Their band were all excellent musicians, with Adam Smith on keyboards and guitar; Leon Camfield on bass and Mat Swales on drums. Sam explained that he and Charles were a third incarnation of performers in this show, but, as one appreciative audience member pointed out, it is hard to imagine they could be bettered.
Well done cast and crew on a thoroughly enjoyable evening. More information and future tour dates can be found on The Simon & Garfunkel Story's Facebook page.
