The Simon and Garfunkel Story at the Royal & Derngate Review
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Royal & Derngate, Northampton
9 April 2015
Reviewed by Michelle Llabani
Being a self-professed Simon and Garfunkel fan I was very much looking forward to the show this evening. It was a neigh on sold out and the buzz on entering the theatre was palpable. Tucking into my ‘Lick’ frozen yoghurt, a favourite treat when attending the theatre in Northampton, I relaxed into my seat ready for the show.
The stage set up was incredibly simple. With a 3 piece band (drums, bass and keyboard) and 2 mike stands for the main act, David Tudor as Art Garfunkel and Dean Elliott as Paul Simon. The opening song, “The Sound of Silence” brought a hush to the auditorium, you could almost hear a pin drop. Tudor and Elliott’s rendition was a genuinely good representation of the original, setting the tone for a good night of music.
Tudor and Elliott navigated through the duos career chronologically, starting with their initial offerings as rock duo Tom and Jerry in the 1950’s, all the way through to their historic concert in Central Park 1982. A projection screen also provided a good social history, as a backdrop for the careers of the singer/songwriters, journeying through civil unrest, flower power and the success that was “The Graduate”, a movie for which Simon and Garfunkel wrote the music.
As a fan I was able to recognise the huge majority of the songs played, and all the big ones were there. Expect big hitters like “I Am a rock” and “The Boxer”, along with the melodic “Old friends”. My personal favourites of the evening were “Hazy shade of Winter” and “Cecelia”, big numbers, which got the audience going. Both Tudor and Elliott did a good job of emulating the duo, at moments their music was truly spot on, the harmonies during “Scarborough Fair” were amazing. It is always difficult trying to completely replicate the music of such recognisable vocals and Tudor and Elliott should not be disappointed by what they have achieved.
My one criticism of the show was the slight lack of story. I had gone to the show expecting to find out more about the music duo I much admired, however the biography given was very basic and easily garnered from a simple browse through Wikipedia. I thoroughly enjoyed the music, but do I know any more about the story behind one of the greatest and most successful singing duos ever? Not really.
All in all a good evening of Simon and Garfunkel music, however slightly lacking in story.
Rating: 4/5
The Simon & Garfunkel Story is currently touring the UK, for more information and tour dates visit www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com.
For other shows at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP | 01604 624811
