Killer musical

The Barbican Theatre

A new musical based on a popular Manga tells the story of a student who is given a ‘Death Note’ by the gods and discovers whoever’s name he writes in it will die. He becomes a killer and is hunted by a genius detective. Most of the critics loved Stephen Whitson’s production (‘stunning visuals and all-around formidable cast’ BroadwayWorld) but a couple didn’t (‘dead on arrival’ Telegraph). They couldn’t even agree about Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy‘s music (‘haunting, majestic’ WhatsOnStage; ‘compositions alternate between pop-rock anthems and mopey ballads’ Standard).

[Links to full reviews are included but a number are behind paywalls and therefore may not be accessible]

4 stars ⭑⭑⭑⭑

WhatsOnStage‘s Alun Hood loved it. He likened it to a ‘gleaming, glittering fantastical beast. This is a very big show in every sense: ambition, emotions, scale, spectacle, cast… and sheer entertainment value.’ He admitted: ‘In the cold light of day, it’s utterly preposterous, of course, but such is the world-building in Stephen Whitson’s epically stylish production and the consistency of tone in Menchell’s writing that, once you buy into the bombastic madness, this really is a terrific time in the theatre.’ He continued to pile on the praise to the end of his refiew: ‘the production values alone outstrip most current West End musicals, and the haunting, majestic pop score is surely enough to inspire repeat visits from fans. This is a total blast.’

Mica Blackwell for BroadwayWorld assured us: ‘Putting aside the plot’s occasional disjointedness, there is much to enjoy in Death Note. Diehard fans will love seeing the world brought to life with its stunning visuals and all-around formidable cast, while newcomers will quickly give themselves over to the thrilling melodrama. If there’s one thing Death Note won’t do this summer, it’s leave you dying of boredom.’

Andrew Pulver for The Guardian found: ‘Shorn of the original’s convoluted digressions, and with a dilution of the original manga’s play for the teen-boy readership, this emerges as a smart, metaphysical whodunnit – or perhaps, more accurately, howdunnit – with a nice line in emotional intensity cranked up by its power-ballad musical score (…) Death Note purists might not be completely on board with the alterations, but I would challenge anyone not to have a good time with this.’

Olivia Rook at LondonTheatre liked the look: ‘Jon Bausor’s striking set uses a platform to separate the gods from the humans, which doubles as gritty architecture for Tokyo’s skyline. Video designer Akhila Krishnan’s flickering projections of neon lights and rain evocatively capture a sense of place, helping to pull together a stylish production that is dressed to kill.’

The Financial Times’ Sarah Hemming wrote that it was ‘a riotous spectacle, and the young central trio give cracking performances. Pang is excellent as the increasingly megalomaniac Light; Ryan makes L weirdly charismatic and has a great voice; Stephanie Zaharis shines as Misa, the pop star who, somewhat improbably, gets mixed up in it all. Leung is very enjoyable as the cackling, amoral Ryuk and Grace Mouat is a standout as Rem, the spirit who falls in love. Not to die for, but an entertaining night out.’

2 stars ⭑⭑

The Standard‘s Nick Curtis was blunt: ‘it’s a mixture of mumbo-jumbo, crime-story cliche and anodyne teen wish-fulfilment. Frank Wildhorn’s compositions alternate between pop-rock anthems and mopey ballads. Stephen Whitson’s heavy-handed production is full of brutish air-clawing choreography and wooden exposition.’

1 star ⭑

Tim Robey, the Telegraph‘s film critic, was unimpressed: ‘Death Note: The Musical crash-lands at the Barbican – not so much souped-up as dead on arrival. Not a single one of the 27 belted-out songs has the power to resurrect it (…) Even fathoming why it’s a musical at all is beyond me (…) You’d be hard pressed to send this music anywhere other than the bin: it serves up tranche after tranche of undifferentiated rock-opera sludge, with rudimentary lyrics, and far too many songs that run in circles getting the story nowhere.’

Critics’ average rating 3.4⭑

Value rating 21 (Average rating combined with typical ticket price)

Death Note: The Musical can be seen at The Barbican Theatre until 12 September 2026. Buy tickets directly from barbican.org.uk

If you’ve seen Death Note: The Musical at The Barbican Theatre and agree or disagree with the critics, please leave your review and/or rating below