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Death Note: The Musical Opens at Barbican Theatre

8/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Death Note: The Musical opened at the Barbican Theatre and runs until 12 September 2026.
Composer Frank Wildhorn, lyricist Jack Murphy and director Stephen Whitson created it.
Set designer Jon Bausor built the Tokyo world and musical director Katy Richardson led a 10-piece band.
Xander Pang stars as Light, Colin Ryan as L and Telly Leung as Ryuk.
Critics praised the score, choreography and visuals, and tickets stay on sale through 12 September.

History

Historical Context

In 1997 Disney Theatrical Productions launched The Lion King on Broadway, a Julie Taymor-directed adaptation that has earned over $2 billion and become the third-longest-running show. The 2024 Death Note musical at London’s Barbican, scored by Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy and starring Xander Pang, follows that model, showing how Western stages now monetize Asian manga franchises.

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Story summary

Death Note: The Musical opened at the Barbican Theatre and runs until 12 September 2026.
Composer Frank Wildhorn, lyricist Jack Murphy and director Stephen Whitson created it.
Set designer Jon Bausor built the Tokyo world and musical director Katy Richardson led a 10-piece band.
Xander Pang stars as Light, Colin Ryan as L and Telly Leung as Ryuk.
Critics praised the score, choreography and visuals, and tickets stay on sale through 12 September.

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