By Conor O’Neill
Their names are ubiquitous, their sound captivating, and even if you’re not a baby-boomer, you’ll know more songs than you think. I am, of course, talking about the phenomenon that is Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. This West End production arrives in Belfast with glowing reviews from everyone including BBC Radio 2, Victoria Kingston, author of Simon And Garfunkel – The Definitive Biography, and the immortal words of ‘What a great f**cking show!’ from none other than half of the majestic duo, Art Garfunkel himself.
With such praise, the expectations are heightened, the scene is set for a great night. And ‘worry not’ to the sceptics out there, The Simon and Garfunkel Story does not disappoint.
Born months apart in Queens, New York City, the pair met in school and soon found out they had a shared love of music. Still in their teens they released their first song Hey Schoolgirl which sold 100,000. This didn’t lead to instant stardom and the two went their separate ways, but we all know the story doesn’t end there. Show creator and general manager Dean Elliot’s pen leads us through the decades and trials of the pair’s lives. The set is minimalist, the storytelling and music do the talking. Art attends art school, Paul sings his way around the folk clubs of England and records The Paul Simon Songbook. Unbeknownst to him a DJ in the USA is playing The Sound Of Silence heavily and Simon soon returns to America.
This is the impetus the pair have been born for. From a two piece harmony heavy folk duo, Simon and Garfunkel are propelled into the popular consciousness of millions. Dylan sings ‘the times they are a changing’ and nothing could be more true for the pair from Queens.
Throughout the two plus hours of heavenly music, the set changes little, scenes from the 1960s flare up on the screen behind the five players. The Beatles, Vietnam war protests, racial violence, Kennedy, Nixon, Muhammad Ali, Tupperware parties – the safety of the older generation versus youth and rebellion. The Grand opera House crowd is somewhat older and more diverse than the usual ‘musical’ crowd. And for once I had to actually queue to get to the gents during the interval. However varied the audience, everyone seemed to be having a great night. The excitement was palpable.
James Pattison playing Paul Simon is chief narrator, Pattison is a well travelled performer and natural showman, his casual manner and conversational approach is both relaxing and compelling. To his side is Alex Bradshaw playing Garfunkel: what’s hard to believe is he only graduated from dance and musical theatre in 2023. This is his debut and what a way to start a career. As for the three piece band? Phenomenal from the first note to the last. All have sterling credentials from studio to stage. All the usual suspects are played with aplomb, but the stand out tune for me was Patterns from the duo’s third LP Parsely, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. This psychedelic rocker showcased the five performers’ talents at their very best. We even get a bass solo.
This is more than just your standards ‘jukebox musical’ trading memories for dollars, this is as good as a piece of story telling paired with great music as you’ll hope to find.
Get booking now for the show of the year.
The Simon and Garfunkel Story plays at the Grand opera House up to and including Wdnesday August 7th. For booking details visit http://www.goh.co.uk or simply phone the box office on 02890 241919
ENDS
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