Simon and Garfunkel Through the Years at the Festival Theatre Review
Simon and Garfunkel
Through the Years
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
27 January 2017
Reviewed by Juliana Headley
Last night’s performance of “Simon and Garfunkel Through the Years” by Bookends was a tribute act to one of the most famous duos of 1960s. It told a story of two young men, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, their childhood, rise to stardom and how fame affected their friendship.
The Bookends duet have a similar story, Dan Haynes and Pete Richards met while still at school, realised they had similar taste in music, worked on their harmonies through their school and college years and with strong encouragement from friends and families, decided to take their act across the country.
Absolutely loved the atmosphere of the gig! Although the Festival Theatre can sit around nearly 2000 people, the simplicity of just two people on stage with only a guitar for music, made the performance so genuine and intimate! Great voices and amazing songs, each telling a story, transferred the audience back into the 1960s, into a different reality.
Dan and Pete created a wonderful balance of documentary chronicles, music and introduction to each individual song (with a joke here and there) with constant engagement with the audience throughout the show and original twists on well known classics.
The talent of these young guys is unbelievable! And it was great to see them to be so sincere and not spoilt by success and enjoying every moment of their stardom. Like taking a selfie in front of applauding audience.
A very sweet, heartfelt and endearing performance! With well known hits “The Sound of Silence”, “Bridge over Troubled Water”, “Mrs Robinson”, “Cecilia” and a lot more of other great songs, I was in for an unforgettable night! A refreshingly original performance that was second only to seeing Simon and Garfunkel live! Wish all the best to the Bookends on their first American tour and can’t wait to see them again during Edinburgh festival in August!
Rating: 5/5 
Simon & Garfunkel: Throught the Years is currently on tour around the UK, for more information and tour dates visit www.simonandgarfunkelbybookends.com.
For other show at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh visit www.edtheatres.com.
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT | 0131 529 6000
