A reimagined production of DEATH NOTE: THE MUSICAL comes to the Barbican this summer
Following record-breaking concerts at the London Palladium, DEATH NOTE: THE MUSICAL, comes to the Barbican Theatre this summer for the world premiere of a brand-new reimagined production.
DEATH NOTE: THE MUSICAL will open at London’s Barbican Theatre on 30 July for a limited six-week season.
Death Note has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and grown into a global cultural phenomenon spanning feature animation, films, television adaptations, and an acclaimed Netflix series.
Rooted in the acclaimed original, this reimagining for the West End (and a planned Broadway run) is the definitive theatrical incarnation of this unique story.
REVIEW: Death Note: The Musical at the London Palladium (2023) ★★★★★
Death Note – The Cast
Joining the previously announced Xander Pang and Colin Ryan, is a spectacular company of exceptionally talented performers including Stephanie Zaharis as Misa Amane, Telly Leung as Ryuk, Grace Mouat as Rem, Paolo Montalban as Soichiro Yagami, Chloe Saracco as Jerasu, and Elise Buckley as Sayu.
The ensemble is made up of CJ Benoiton, Louise Liluna Browning, Aoife Haakenson, Samantha Ho, Katie Ka Lay Ho, Olivia Hazel Jones, Matthew Koon, Abel Law, Luchia Moss, Patrick Munday, Richie Paisley, Regine Phua, Nicky Wong Rush and Ernest Stroud. The company is completed by Nicole Carlisle, Renz Cardenas and David Ouch who are Swings and Sian Yeo as Swing / Dance Captain.
Death Note – The Story
Death Note tells the story of Light Yagami, an exceptionally gifted high school student who one day discovers a mysterious notebook bearing a chilling rule: “Any human whose name is written in this notebook will die in 40 seconds.” The notebook, known as the Death Note, has been dropped into the human world out of boredom by the Shinigami Ryuk. Disillusioned by a justice system he believes fails to punish criminals, Light tests the notebook’s power triggering the sudden death of a criminal live on television.
Convinced he has been chosen to become the “god of a new world,” Light begins using the Death Note to eliminate criminals across the globe. As unexplained deaths mount, the public coins the name “Kira” for the unseen killer, with supporters praising his actions as crime rates plummet. With no physical evidence to follow, the authorities turn to the enigmatic master detective L, setting the stage for a gripping psychological battle between two brilliant minds.
Death Note delivers a thrilling exploration of justice, power, and the price of playing God. The storytelling is clear, the stakes are human, and the drama is universal. Audiences are invited to witness the clash of minds and morals, where every choice is fatal, and nothing is written in stone. If you already know it, this is the definitive way to experience it. If you don’t… you should.
Access Performances
Audio Described Performance – 1 September 2026
BSL Performance – 29 August 2026
Captioned Performance – 5 September 2026
Death Note – The Creative Team
Based on the international best-selling Japanese manga of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata and Shueisha, this musical features a score by composer Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Jack Murphy and book by Ivan Menchell.
Alongside Wildhorn, this new production brings together an acclaimed creative team behind some of the West End’s biggest hits, including director Stephen Whitson, designer Jon Bausor and choreography by Fabian Aloise, alongside Jason Howland as orchestration and arranger, with additional lyrics by Morgan Reilly.
