Xander Pang and Colin Ryan have been cast as the leads in Death Note: The Musical, a new stage adaptation of the manga of the same name that will open at London’s Barbican Theatre on July 30, 2026.
Pang plays Light and Ryan is L in the musical production, which has been reimagined after 10 years of performances across Asia and at the London Palladium.
Death Note: The Musical tells the story of Light Yagami, an exceptionally gifted high school student who one day discovers a mysterious notebook bearing a chilling rule: “Any human whose name is written in this notebook will die in 40 seconds.” The notebook, known as the Death Note, has been dropped into the human world out of boredom by the Shinigami Ryuk. Disillusioned by a justice system he believes fails to punish criminals, Light tests the notebook’s power triggering the sudden death of a criminal live on television.
Convinced he has been chosen to become the “god of a new world,” Light begins using the Death Note to eliminate criminals across the globe. As unexplained deaths mount, the public coins the name “Kira” for the unseen killer, with supporters praising his actions as crime rates plummet. With no physical evidence to follow, the authorities turn to the enigmatic master detective L, setting the stage for a gripping psychological battle between two brilliant minds.
Based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata and Shueisha, this musical features a score by composer Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Jack Murphy and book by Ivan Menchell.
Alongside Wildhorn, this new production brings together a creative team icluding director Stephen Whitson, designer Jon Bausor and choreography by Fabian Aloise, alongside Jason Howland as orchestration and arranger, with additional lyrics by Morgan Reilly.
Death Note: the Musical is produced in London by HoriPro and Trafalgar Theatre Productions, co-produced by Pinnacle Productions, in association with the Barbican.
It plays Barbican Theatre from July 30 – September 12, 2026. Tickets here.
Top image: Colin Ryan & Xander Pang (Credit Danny Kaan) (image supplied)