by MK Scott
When you take international sensation group Il Divo and mix it with some of the best leading men in
the West End theatre scene, you get a quartet of performers known for their impressive vocals,
charisma, and tight harmonies.
What unites these four lads is that they have all appeared in the West End production of Les
Misérables, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this fall.
Formed by Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield, the group brings together top West End talent,
including Kieran Brown—a former Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera—and Craig Mather, who
has over 1,000 performances as Marius in Les Misérables to his name. Scott and Simon originally
booked a one-night show at London’s Charing Cross Theatre, which quickly sold out and launched The
Barricade Boys. The group is known for delivering powerful performances that blend musical theatre
with pop and classical crossover styles.
“Simon and I have been best friends for a long time,” Scott told me over Zoom. “We met working in
Venice, then again in South Africa, and had so many similar experiences working in musicals that we
started having ideas of doing something together.”
Drawing inspiration from their roots in Les Misérables, The Barricade Boys offer a unique experience
by performing iconic songs from the show alongside other musical theatre classics, contemporary hits,
and original arrangements. Their name pays homage to the legendary barricade scene from Les
Misérables, a symbol of resistance, unity, and brotherhood—key themes that resonate in their
performances.
I was thrilled to learn that Scott was part of the legendary Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert,
filmed in 2010 at the O2 Arena and aired on PBS stations across America. Nick Jonas—only 17 at the
time—played Marius for the concert. Scott shared, “Nick was wonderful, and we’re still close today. I
think they were trying to bring in a young audience. It was a wonderful experience.”
More than just a tribute to Les Misérables, The Barricade Boys celebrate the power of musical theatre
and male vocal performance. Their blend of theatre and popular music, combined with their charming
stage presence, sets them apart as one of the UK’s premier musical theatre groups. Whether performing
emotional ballads or upbeat anthems, The Barricade Boys consistently deliver a show that is both
nostalgic and refreshingly original.
The Barricade Boys have an impressive list of West End credits, including Mamma Mia, Wicked, The Book Of Mormon, The Sound Of Music and more.
They’ve gained a reputation for putting on high-energy, emotionally charged shows, performing at
prestigious venues such as the London Palladium, and touring both nationally and internationally—earning praise from fans of musical theatre and new audiences alike.
When asked how he takes care of his voice, Scott replied, “I sleep with tape over my mouth—it keeps
the moisture inside and helps prevent dry mouth.” Brilliant!
Billed as big Broadway party, The boys are playing at the Edmonds Center for the Arts on Thurs, April 10th and the Admiral Theater in Bremerton on Friday, April 11th . Click Each Venue for Tix and Info.
