The Story
Death Note The Musical — London
Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London
Manga copies sold
worldwide
Light Yagami is brilliant, bored and convinced the world is rotten. When a mysterious notebook falls from the sky — the Death Note, dropped by the Shinigami Ryuk — he discovers that any human whose name is written in it will die. Light sees it not as a weapon but as a tool for justice. He begins killing criminals. The world notices. And a detective known only as "L" begins to notice him.
What follows is one of the most psychologically gripping cat-and-mouse stories ever told — a battle of intellects played out across a supernatural stage, where the question of who is good and who is evil becomes increasingly impossible to answer. Death Note The Musical makes its world premiere as a fully staged production at the Barbican Theatre this summer, in a reimagined version of the show that has sold out across Asia since its debut in Tokyo in 2015.
"A landmark, once-in-a-lifetime event — Frank Wildhorn's electrifying score meets one of the most compelling moral stories of our generation."
The original manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata sold over 30 million copies worldwide and grew into a global cultural phenomenon — spawning an acclaimed anime series, films, a Netflix adaptation and now the definitive theatrical incarnation. Frank Wildhorn's score brings the dark, high-stakes tension of the source material to life with full orchestral power, and this new production features a revised script and newly written songs alongside the original acclaimed score.
The creative team is extraordinary: director Stephen Whitson, who helmed Hamilton UK and Moulin Rouge! UK, works with Emmy-nominated designer Jon Bausor (Spirited Away, Bat Out of Hell) and Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Fabian Aloise (Evita, Sunset Boulevard) to bring the urban, supernatural aesthetic of the manga to life on the Barbican's stage. Jason Howland handles orchestrations and arrangements, with additional lyrics by Morgan Reilly.
The first week of performances sold out within 24 hours of tickets going on sale — the fastest-selling Barbican summer season ever. This is a strictly limited six-week run, with ambitions for a future Broadway transfer. Do not miss it.
Key Characters
Light Yagami L Ryuk Misa Amane Rem Near Soichiro YagamiPress Reviews
An extraordinary theatrical experience — Death Note is exactly the kind of show the Barbican was made for.The Guardian
Wildhorn's score is a revelation. This is smart, dark, electrifying musical theatre at its very best.The Times
Genuinely unmissable. The most talked-about show of the summer arrives and fully deserves the hype.Evening Standard
A global phenomenon finally gets the production it deserves. Death Note belongs on the West End stage.WhatsOnStage
Death Note The Musical Tickets
Choose your seats via our live booking platform. Once payment is completed you will receive an email confirmation with your booking reference and eTickets.
Silk Street
London, EC2Y 8DS
Including an interval
Themes of death and violence
available after purchase
30 July — 12 September
2026 only
sound recording equipment
is strictly prohibited
On arrival: display your eTickets on your phone or show the box office a printed ticket. The Barbican is a large multi-venue complex — follow signs to the Barbican Theatre on Level G via the Silk Street entrance. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the performance.
Production
Cast & Creative
Venue
Getting To The Barbican Theatre
