THEY are the most successful folk-rock duo of all time and yet little is known about Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

More than 50 years after they recorded The Sound of Silence, West End veteran Dean Elliott will lift the lid on the artists, whose songs revolutionised the 1960s music scene, in The Simon and Garfunkel Story.

From their humble beginnings as Rock ‘n’ Roll act Tom and Jerry, through to their decade of fame, dramatic break-up and reunion concert in 1981, the musical will explore their relationship and creative journey.

The show was written by Elliott, an Oliver award nominee, who also takes on the role of Paul Simon.

“I’m a huge fan of Simon and Garfunkel and have been for years and I really wanted to do something of my own about people I loved and admired,” he says.

“A lot of people have this relationship with Simon and Garfunkel.

“Their music is so engraved in the public conscience. But they don’t know what they did, their story. Are they friends? Did they fall out? I thought it would be an interesting angle.

“I knew bits of their story but I read a lot of biographies and saw a lot of footage.

“There is no massive tragedy in their lives but their time together was very short – only 10 years – and they broke up at the height of their success in 1970.”

Simon and Garfunkel’s partnership spanned the 1960s, the tumultuous decade of the civil rights movement and a time of unprecedented change – much of which influenced their music.

As such, Dean chose to anchor the story in its historical and social context by projecting video footage in the background.

“The 1960s was a very important decade of social and political change.

“As well as telling the story of two best friends growing up together, I thought I would tell the backdrop of their story.

“They very much wrote songs that were reflecting their time and that place. They are people of their time.”

The Simon and Garfunkel Story, which stars Jonny Smart as Art Garfunkel, will be at the Wyvern tonight at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £19 and £17.50 for concessions.

To book call 01793 52448 or go to swindontheatres.co.uk.

– Marion Sauvebois