Death Note manga musical to play London’s Barbican Theatre

The acclaimed musical Death Note The Musical is returning to London this autumn 2026 at the Barbican Theatre.

The hit manga musical is making a welcome return to London following a number of sold-out concert performances at the West End’s London Palladium and Lyric Theatre in 2023.

Death Note The Musical is back in London for a full production and limited season at the Barbican Theatre from 30 July to 12 September 2026.

Death Note The Musical is based on the best-selling “Death Note” Japanese manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, and had its world premiere in Tokyo Japan in 2015. It has subsequently enjoyed three sold-out seasons in Korea.

This new production – which also plans to transfer to Broadway – will feature a revised script and newly written songs, alongside the original, acclaimed score by Frank Wildhorn (Bonnie & Clyde, Jekyll & Hyde).

“I am humbled, honoured and beyond excited to bring Death Note to the Barbican this summer. I hope it’s a step in a beautiful long life for our manga musical in the West and beyond. So very grateful to HoriPro and Trafalgar for giving our ‘voice’ a chance to be heard!!” – Composer Frank Wildhorn

Death Note will be directed by Stephen Whitson (Hamilton), designed by Jon Bausor (Spirited Away), and choreographed by Fabian Aloise (Evita).

The show’s lyrics are by Jack Murphy (The Civil War) and book by Ivan Menchell (Bonnie & Clyde, The Nanny), with additional lyrics by Morgan Reilly.

Casting for the London revival at the Barbican Theatre is to be announced.

What’s the story of Death Note? The story is about Light Yagami, a bright but dissatisfied high school student in Tokyo who comes across a discarded notebook owned by Ryuk, a mythological god of death. Discovering he can kill anyone by just writing their names in the supernatural notebook, Light takes justice into his own hands by filling the notebook with names of the nation’s most wanted criminals. But a detective only known as “L” is soon tracking him down…

Death Note is based on Shueisha’s internationally bestselling manga ‘Death Note’ written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The show is produced by HoriPro and Trafalgar Theatre Productions in association with the Barbican.

Previous London casts of the show have included Adam Pascal (Rent), George Maguire (Burlesque), Aimie Atkinson (Pretty Woman), Rachel Clare Chan, Christian Ray Marbella (Miss Saigon), Jessica Lee (Miss Saigon), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (World’s Greatest Lovers), Frances Mayli McCann (The Great Gatsby), Dean John-Wilson (A Mirrored Monet), and Carl Man (Wicked).