4 Music


The Mice that roar in UK return


SHOW: Of Mice & Men


OF Mice & Men play Bristol’s O2 Academy this evening as part of their biggest UK head- line run to date. “We’re so excited to be com-


ing back and headlining in the United Kingdom. This will be our biggest tour to date and we’re not holding back,” says drummer Valentino Arteaga. “We’ve been busy in the stu-


dio working on new material and you can bet you’ll be hear- ing some new songs and old fa- vorites.” Of Mice & Men have had a phenomenal 2014, from gracing the covers of Rock Sound and Kerrang! magazines to winning Metal Hammer’s Breakthrough Artist’ of the Year award. Not to mention sold out world tours and support slot Linkin Park on their Arena tour. Tickets are available from liv- enation.co.uk


Rocker set to perform at theatre


CONCERT: The Low Riders


ANDY Fairweather Low brings his band The LowRiders to The Beaufort Theatre on March 28. Since the early days with Amen Corner, Andy has gone on to work with everyone from Eric Clapton and George Har- rison to Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix. His first solo album in 24


years Sweet Soulful Music was released late in 2007 followed by The Very Best Of Andy Fair- weather Low in June 2008. Andy and his tour band The


Low Riders released Zone O Tone in 2013 to rave reviews and there will be an opportuni- ty to hear much material from this at the concert. Tickets are £18, available


from The Beaufort Theatre Box Office on 01495 355800.


Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide Friday, March 27, 2015


ANDYHOWELLS chats to Dean Elliott about his tribute showto Simon&Garfunkel Feeling groovy with duo Interview


IT’S been 50 years since the most successful folk-rock duo of all time Simon & Garfunkel re- corded their first US number one single ‘The Sound of Silence’. Fol- lowing its West End success at the Leicester Square Theatre, in February 2015, ‘The Simon and Garfunkel Story’ is currently the biggest and the most successful touring theatre show celebrating the lives and career of the duo. Featuring seasoned West End,


award-winning leading man Dean Elliott (Buddy Holly in ‘Buddy - The Musical’) and a full cast of talented actor-musicians, ‘The Simon and Garfunkel Story’ takes you to the groovy times of the 1960s. It tells the story of both Paul Simon and Art Garfun- kel from their humble beginnings as rock and roll duo ‘Tom and Jerry’, right through their mas- sive success, dramatic break- up and reformation at the 1981 Central Park concert. Using a huge projection


screen, the show features pho- tos and film footage whilst a full live band perform all their hits, including ‘Mrs Robinson’, ‘Ce- cilia’, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Wa- ter’, ‘Homeward Bound’, ‘Sound of Silence’ and many more. Andy Howells recently put


questions to Dean who plays Paul Simon in the stage show.


What inspired you to put The Simon & Garfunkel story together? I wanted to do something a


little bit like ‘Buddy’ but tell an unanswered story of rock and roll and their story is fascinating. We also wanted to take people through a journey through the 1960s which we can with our full cast and video projections. Also, I think their music is incredible and it’s a pleasure to immerse myself in their songs.


You are well known on the touring circuit for the excel-


lent portrayal of Buddy Holly. What’s it been like stepping from the shoes of one music legend to another? It’s been a joy to play two of my


ON STAGE: The Simon & Garfunkel Story Picture: Jacqui Elliot-Williams Some of the later stuff is diffi-


musical heroes (Paul Simon and Buddy Holly) on tour, around the world and in the West End. A dream come true!


How has the show been received in the West End? Incredible. It was a sell out and


we were so nervous but the au- dience were with us right from the off and the whole experience was such a warm and positive one.


Were there any songs which have proved to be a challenge to reproduce on stage?


cult as Simon & Garfunkel spent a lot of time in the studio playing with sounds and instrumentation which would be impossible with- out about 40 people on stage! We quite often use their live ar- rangements so keeping within the detail they are famous for.


Which songs go down particu- larly well with the audience? ‘Cecilia’ and ‘The Boxer’ get


everyone going but ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ really hits the spot with a lot of our audience. Not only is it sung beautifully by our ‘Art’ but it can be a very per- sonal song for many people and bring back a lot of memories for a lot of folks.


Is the show family friendly? Oh yes. We have the pleasure


to be able to perform for people who were there the first time round in the 1960s and also educating a new generation. It’s beautiful.


What are your favourite moments of the show? Both ‘Bridge’ and ‘The Boxer’


get people standing up in ova- tion but one of my favourite moments of the show is where the band leave the stage, leav- ing myself and ‘Art’ and we play some early songs, just one gui- tar and two voices in perfect harmony.


Art Garfunkel is touring the UK later this year. Will you be


inviting him to see the show? Yes. He is aware of our tour so fingers crossed he will come.


What’s your favourite Simon and Garfunkel track and why? ‘The Dangling Conversation’.


Paul Simon once said this was his ‘masterpiece’ and I can see why. It gets me every time.


Can you sum up the show in one sentence? A West End show full of nos-


talgia and memories and featur- ing some of the best songs ever written.


lCatch The Simon & Garfun-


kel Story at St David’s Hall on Friday, April 17. Call 029 2087 8444 for ticket details.


See sensational duo’s ‘groovy’ story on stage


FOLLOWING it’s West End success, The Simon and Gar- funkel Story is currently the biggest and the most suc- cessful touring theatre show celebrating the lives and ca- reer of folk/rock sensation Simon and Garfunkel. Featuring award-winning leading man Dean Elliott and a full cast of talented actor/musicians, The Si- mon and Garfunkel Story takes you back through the “groovy” times of the 1960s. It tells the story of both


Paul Simon and Art Gar- funkel from their humble


Competition


beginnings, right through their massive success, dra- matic break-up and the 1981 Central Park reformation concert. The show features 1960s photos and film footage while a full live band per- formall their hits including. We have two pairs of tick-


ets up for grabs for the per- formance at St David’s Hall, Cardiff on April 17. To be in with a chance of winning, just complete the title of the following Simon


and Garfunkel song: Bridge Over Troubled ....... Send your answer, name, address and contact details on a postcard to Simon and Garfunkel Competition, Editor’s PA, South Wales Ar- gus, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP20 3QN or you can enter by text. Start your message with SIMGAR, leave a space and then send your answer, name and address to 80360. Messages cost 25p plus your normal operator text charge. Terms and conditions at southwalesargus.co.uk/ competitions. Closing date: April 7.


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