Direct from London’s West End and Broadway, The Barricade Boys are back on the road with their sensational and critically-acclaimed national tour and will play one night only at the Waterside Theatre Aylesbury on May 24.

The Barricade Boys not only perform the world’s greatest show tunes, but they also celebrate music from some of the most iconic names in the music industry, from powerful ballads and beautiful operatic arias to some of the best pop, rock and swing numbers of all time.

The Barricade Boys were founded in 2016 by Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield.

The group has played nearly every major role in musical theatre from The Phantom of The Opera, Wicked and Billy Elliot to Jersey Boys, The Sound Of Music and Les Misérables.

The duo talk all things musical theatre as their 2019 UK tour goes on sale.

Simon and Scott. Tell us a little about The Barricade Boys – when you formed the group and what inspired you.

Simon: "Les Mis is a phenomenon within the world of musical theatre and there had never been a show featuring just guys who had all been in this incredible show.

"The planning began in 2015 and in 2016 The Barricade Boys was launched at The Charing Cross Theatre in London’s West End. We didn’t know what would happen or if we would even sell a ticket but within two weeks of its launch the performance was completely sold out and we knew we had stumbled across something very special.

"We performed to a fantastic crowd and ended the show with a full standing ovation; the atmosphere was electric. And the atmosphere has remained electric at every venue we go to all over the world.

"I was in Les Miserables in the West End and also lucky enough to be part of the 25th anniversary at the O2 Arena with Alfie Boe and Matt Lucas. It was overwhelming to see the love and appreciation of the show and to understand how much it means to people.

"I knew then that Les Miserables was special and that a show featuring members of the cast performing songs from the show, in a unique way, plus hearing music that the stars of the show themselves loved singing would be something really special. An idea was born.

What’s so special for you about Les Miserables?

Simon: "Les Miserables is a unique show with timeless songs. To have been part of the show’s history, no matter how small, makes me feel very proud as it’s the only show I could sing every day and not get bored of singing those songs. 

"There is something very special about the show and it’s clear that everyone else thinks the same as it’s the longest running musical of all time and every night the audiences are still packed. It’s been made into a Hollywood movie, a 6-part drama on the BBC which shows that the story is constantly being re-invented and is always current." 

You don’t just perform songs from Les Miserables – tell us a little about what audiences can expect?

Scott: "We’ve got pop, swing, Motown, other musical theatre and even a rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. So whether you like the sounds of 60’s with our Jersey Boys medley or the ballads of West Side Story, there’s something for everyone." 

What have been the highlights of your time as The Barricade Boys?  

Simon: "I think my personal highlight was appearing at The St James Theatre on Broadway. Every performer dreams of appearing on both The West end stage and the Broadway stage so it was a real achievement for The Barricade Boys to have appeared on both sides of the Atlantic."

Scott: "We were lucky enough to perform at the St James Theatre Broadway in a gala evening honouring Jude Law. We decided to change the lyrics from One Day More to One Jude Law! It was a real highlight of the concert and had everyone, including Jude, roaring with laughter. We met him afterwards and he asked if we’d print out the lyrics for him so he could send a copy to his mum."

The Barricade Boys will perform all the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre for one night only on Friday, May 24 at 7.30pm.

Tickets available from £13 online at www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury or call the box office on 0844 871 7607.