Death Note: The Musical makes its world premiere at the Barbican Theatre, London, from 30 July to 12 September 2026. This is the first fully staged production in English — and the most ambitious London staging of the show to date. Tickets from £30, 50 performances only.
Book tickets at deathnotethemusical.com →
What Is Death Note: The Musical?
Death Note: The Musical is based on the Japanese manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, originally published in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 2003 to 2006. With over 30 million copies sold worldwide, it’s one of the best-known manga series of all time — adapted into anime, films, a Netflix series, and now a major West End musical.
The story follows Light Yagami, a high school student in Tokyo who discovers a supernatural notebook dropped by a god of death. Anyone whose name is written in it dies. Light begins using the notebook to kill criminals, believing he can reshape society — until the elusive detective L begins closing in.
The musical premiered in Tokyo in 2015, produced by HoriPro (one of Japan’s leading entertainment companies). It went on to win four Korea Musical Awards and played to sold-out audiences across Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. London audiences got their first taste with concert performances at the London Palladium in 2023 — which sold out.
This summer’s production at the Barbican is a newly reimagined staging — revised script, new songs — and the first fully staged English-language run. It is produced in close collaboration with the original Japanese producers, HoriPro, making this a genuine Japan–UK creative co-production.
The Creative Team
- Music: Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, Bonnie & Clyde)
- Lyrics: Jack Murphy, with additional lyrics by Morgan Reilly
- Book: Ivan Menchell
- Director: Stephen Whitson (Hamilton)
- Designer: Jon Bausor (Spirited Away the Musical)
- Choreography: Fabian Aloise (Evita, Sunset Boulevard)
- Orchestrations: Jason Howland (The Great Gatsby)
- Producers: HoriPro, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Pinnacle Productions
Practical Information
- Dates: Thursday 30 July – Saturday 12 September 2026 (50 performances)
- Press night: Tuesday 11 August 2026
- Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
- Age guidance: Recommended 12+. Under 5s not admitted.
- Tickets: From £30
- Dress code: Smart casual to cosplay — all welcome. Note: large props or masks may need to be checked in at the cloakroom.
Book at deathnotethemusical.com →
Venue & Access
Barbican Theatre
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
- Tube: Barbican (Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City lines) — 5 min walk. Also accessible from Moorgate and St Paul’s.
- Train: Liverpool Street (10 min walk) and Farringdon (10 min walk)
- Bus: Routes 76, 153 (Beech Street); 21, 43, 141, 205, 214, 271 (City Road)
About the Manga
If you haven’t read Death Note, it’s worth knowing a little about the source material before you go. The original manga ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 2003 to 2006, written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata (who also created Hikaru no Go and Bakuman).
The series is unusual for a shōnen manga — it’s a psychological thriller with almost no action, built entirely on a battle of wits between two characters. The tension comes from who will outthink whom, not from physical confrontation. It became a cultural phenomenon in Japan and internationally, generating an anime series (2006–2007), three live-action Japanese films, a US Netflix film, a Japanese live-action drama, and now this London musical.
Reading the manga or watching the anime first isn’t required — but if you want context for the show’s themes and characters, even the first volume of the manga or the first few episodes of the anime will give you a strong foundation.
Go deeper into Japanese culture and language
Death Note is one of the most iconic works of modern Japanese storytelling. If it’s sparked an interest in Japanese language or culture, our certified native teachers offer private lessons from £23 — online or in person in London.
Book a trial lesson — £23Free JLPT materials
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Written by Ayaka Uchida — CEO of A-Digital Works, founder of Nihon GO! World.