Death Note: The Musical ★★★★ Barbican Theatre | Jul 30 - Sep 12, 2026


Calling all manga mavens and animé aficionados! Death Note returns in a full-scale production, pitting Light and L against each other on a spectacular set designed by Jon Bausor. Following successful runs in Japan and Korea, and a London concert version in 2023, the production arrives with two new numbers written especially for it. The story of a schoolboy and a super sleuth locked in a battle of wits after the former discovers a notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it has been streamlined from its original manga version, but the essentials remain. Questions of law versus justice, whether the ends can ever justify the means, and the corrupting influence of power are deftly woven into the cat-and-mouse game between the two protagonists. All this unfolds against the existential questions raised by the shinigami, or death gods, and their intervention in human affairs. The absorbing story moves at a brisk pace, while Frank Wildhorn’s score brings considerable depth to its central themes. Songs such as “We All Need a Hero” and “I’ll Only Love You More” provide melodic counterpoints to the more forceful “Where Is the Justice” and “Hurricane”. Fabian Aloise's choreography is inventive and fluid, while the ensemble is uniformly accomplished. Xander Pang gives a commanding performance as Light, convincingly charting his transformation from bright student to power-hungry killer, while Colin Ryan brings a quirky, tightly controlled energy to the eccentric detective L. Stephanie Zaharis captures Misa’s obsessive devotion and bright, exuberant energy, while Telly Leung gives Ryuk a sly, sardonic presence that gradually reveals a darker cynicism. Grace Mouat steals the spotlight as Rem, bringing the house down with a soaring rendition of “When Love Comes”. This Death Note should satisfy devoted fans while offering newcomers an irresistible introduction to this manga phenomenon.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Manuel Harlan

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS, UK

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