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Yorkshire Times
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Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
@philhopkinsuk
12:09 PM 18th October 2014
arts

Paul Simon And The Art Of Funk(el)

 
Dean Elliott and Jonny Smart as Paul and Art
Dean Elliott and Jonny Smart as Paul and Art
Dean Elliott is a great guitarist and Jonny Smart has the type of curly hair that gooey eyed mothers adore and teenage girls spend hours trying to straighten.

In their raw state they are just two individuals - ordinary by any standard - graduates of stage shows and drama school. But, together, they have re-produced the musical magic that swept the world in the sixties and seventies, with their production The Simon & Garfunkel Story.

Last night it was Bradford's turn and you know something good is happening when the stoic folk of West Yorkshire's textile capital, rise to their feet to show their appreciation with cheers and shouts for more.

As well as bearing an uncanny likeness to both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, Elliott and Smart sound great together, and must have spent many hours perfecting their harmonies. I remember playing the lead in Jolson and spent weeks trying to copy the great man so, trust me, this duo just didn't happen!

It is testimony to their idea and, no doubt, hard work that has delivered them a winner. As well as building a following across the UK, they are now set to open in the West End which doesn't happen unless the dollar men know it's going to pay dividends. Both the Brits and the US tourists will love this step back in time when flower power and LSD were all the rage!

The music was supported by some interesting 'media' - black and white photos and video of the iconic duo - which ran throughout the show, lending atmosphere and an appropriate time frame to this vibrant, foot-tapping production, which spanned the career of Simon & Garfunkel with renditions of some of their greatest hits - The Sound of Silence, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Mrs Robinson to name just three

But it would be rude to ignore the musical talents of Murray Gardiner on electric guitar and keyboards, Leon Camfield on bass and Josh Powell on drums.......all highly talented musicians who, without doubt, made Elliott and Smart a success as much as the original idea.

Dean Elliott made his initial name in the lead role of Buddy Holly in the Olivier Award nominated musical 'Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story', and clearly has a penchant for 'tribute' musicals! However, it would be insulting to include him in the same breath as the 'Fake That' stable of lookalike acts.

This was a quality show and is worthy of a viewing so, if you missed it in Bradford, hook up with the lads and track them down. After two hours in the auditorium you certainly won't want to be Homeward Bound.......even if you are from Widnes!

They can be found at www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com or at www.facebook.com/thesimonandgarfunkelstory.