Xander Pang and Colin Ryan to star in new production of DEATH NOTE: THE MUSICAL
Photo credit: Danny Kaan
DEATH NOTE: THE MUSICAL has announced that Xander Pang (MacBeth, Beyond Paradise) will play the brilliant protagonist ‘Light’ and Colin Ryan (Hamlet, My Brilliant Friend, The Lightning Child) will play the mysterious consulting detective ‘L’ when this much-anticipated musical opens at London’s Barbican Theatre on 30 July for a limited six-week season.
The worldwide phenomenon DEATH NOTE: THE MUSICAL, based on the globally bestselling manga created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata, comes to the Barbican this summer in a newly reimagined musical production, featuring a revised script and newly written songs alongside the original acclaimed score by Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics by Jack Murphy and a book by Ivan Menchell. Following 10 years of acclaimed sold-out productions across Asia and record-breaking concerts at the London Palladium, this much-anticipated reimagined production will play from 30 July - 12 September.
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.
Xander Pang said: “I cannot explain how excited I am to be playing Light in this totally unique musical and look forward to showing London audiences the wonder of Death Note. To bring this show to the iconic Barbican Theatre is an unbelievable honour, and I can’t wait to share this stage and story with such an amazing team, and with everyone who comes to see it!”
Colin Ryan said: “Death Note is truly iconic, so I’m incredibly excited and proud to be stepping into the mind of L. I can’t wait to help bring this production to life at the Barbican this summer.”
Alongside Wildhorn, this new production brings together an acclaimed creative team behind some of the West End’s biggest hits, including director Stephen Whitson, Emmy-nominated designer Jon Bausor, Olivier Award nominated choreographer Fabian Aloise, and orchestrator and arranger Jason Howland, with additional lyrics by Morgan Reilly. Together, this creative team will bring scale, theatrical power, and contemporary energy to the world of Death Note.
Death Note delivers a thrilling exploration of justice, power, and the price of playing God. The storytelling is clear, the stakes are human, and the drama is universal. Audiences are invited to witness the clash of minds and morals, where every choice is fatal, and nothing is written in stone. If you already know it, this is the definitive way to experience it. If you don’t… you should.
