Death Note The Musical
10 August 2026
Barbican Theatre
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
The world premiere of Death Note The Musical has arrived at the Barbican, where it is running until 12 September. Reimagined for the London stage in close collaboration with the original Japanese production, this new musical is an adaptation of the extremely popular manga and anime by the same name.
Student Light Yagami discovers a notebook with the power to end lives simply by writing someone’s name into it. He takes on the mission to better society by bringing justice where the court system failed, but when he is pursued by fierce Detective L., things quickly spiral out of control and the limits of bending morality to suit his plans are being tested.
I personally went into this show somewhat blind, not having read the manga or seen the anime, so I was curious as to how the narrative holds up for those unfamiliar with the material. The premise is explained very clearly and transparently within the first few songs and the storytelling does the rest to pull together a very well structured story that makes sense whether you’re familiar with Death Note or not.
Visually, this is a stunning production, with sleek stage design that holds many surprises throughout, the most gorgeously detailed costume design, and choreographies that stun and amaze. A feast for all the senses with stunning songs and amazing vocal talent as well. It flows incredibly well and presents strong tunes with deep emotional impact. There’s barely a moment wasted, breathlessly powering through the narrative at break neck speed without feeling rushed or contrived.
This musical really shows off what this genre of theatre can do with a story, building tension and presenting plot twists beautifully.
An absolutely stunning production that begs to be seen by fans of the IP and those who just love well written musicals alike. Don’t miss this one if you have a chance to catch it!
