More of a tribute concert than a musical it features Sam O’Hanlon and Charles Blyth as vocal simulacra of the folk/rock duo plus an excellent three-piece band augmented in the second half by a horn trio. A screen displaying newsreels and footage from the two main decades of their work – the 1960s and 1970s – ensures that this is a nostalgia trip in more ways than one.
There is no “story” apart from the in-between anecdotes and information told mainly by O’Hanlon in the manner of a cruise ship entertainer. He is a bit cheeky and has an overly animated face that veers close to amateur gurning. The songs are played chronologically with perfunctory introductions. So far, so mediocre.
The good news is the boys are terrific performers – their harmonies are as close to the real thing as it is possible to get.
O’Hanlon’s finger-picking guitar style is fine, too, even if the band are a little too intrusive in some numbers. Above all, it reminds you just how many great songs they produced. Chills run down your spine at the opening lines of The Sound Of Silence and The Boxer, while a rousing version of Cecilia gets everyone clapping along.
The boys are engaging performers – the slender Blyth in Garfunkel’s trademark waistcoat or polo neck staring upwards like a young seminarian, O’Hanlon’s more robust Simon getting down in lively numbers such as Richard Cory with its rock riff delivered by guitarist Adam Smith.
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The wonderful Mrs Robinson is accompanied by clips from the movie starring Dustin Hoffman and the sublimely sexy Anne Bancroft though the delicate poignancy of America is drowned in an over-produced version. Small niggles aside it’s an effective reminder of an extraordinary musical duo.
THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY Lyric Theatre, October 2, November 6, December 4 and touring the UK. Tickets: ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/ the-simon-and-garfunkel-story-touring