If you’re not engrossed in the world of Death Note, then you probably know someone who is; the Japanese manga series is certainly having a moment, and Death Note: The Musical debuting in the UK is fuelling the hype. That’s why, if you’re keen to see Death Note live on stage, you'd better be quick with snapping up tickets.

Advertisement

Following critically-acclaimed performances in Japan and Korea, Death Note: The Musical is having its English language premiere at The London Palladium in the capital city’s West End. The UK production boasts a score by American composer Frank Wildhorn, best known for his musicals Jekyll & Hyde and Bonnie & Clyde.

Speaking at the musical’s launch, Wildhorn said: “Death Note: The Musical has been the most unique, strange, edgy, and wonderful musical journey for me. It’s been a dream of mine to bring this show from Asia to the West End of London, and here we are!”

Death Note: The Musical is based on the best-selling manga series Death Note, by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata (manga being comics or graphic novels from Japan). Death Note was serialised in the weekly shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump for almost three years, with its chapters collected in 12 tankōbon volumes.

From the manga series came a 37-episode anime television series, a novel, various Nintendo DS games, five films, a television drama, a miniseries titled Death Note: New Generation, plus more. It’s seriously popular, but what exactly is the plot of Death Note? Don’t worry, we won’t spoil it.

Buy Death Note: The Musical tickets at LW Theatres

For more of the top London theatre shows, be sure to check out our guide. Plus, sign-up to our Going Out newsletter for the most inspiring weekend activities across the UK.

What is Death Note about?

Death Note: The Musical follows the story of high school student Light Yagami as he comes across a supernatural notebook which was dropped by Ryuk, the God of Death. Yagami discovers he can kill anyone by writing their names in this notebook, and decides to take justice into his own hands by scrawling the names of Tokyo's criminals inside.

Suspicious at the amount of deaths, the police send an unorthodox detective, L, to track Yagami down. What happens next? Well, you’ll have to watch the musical to find out!

Buy Death Note: The Musical tickets at LW Theatres

Is Death Note: The Musical coming to the UK?

Death Note: The Musical had its world premiere at the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo back in 2015, with its Korean performances beginning the following July at the Seongnam Arts Center in Seoul. Now, the musical will be making its UK debut in London this year.

For two nights only, Monday 21st August and Tuesday 22nd August, Death Note: The Musical will be at the London Palladium in the West End. The London Palladium is located in west London, and its nearest station is Oxford Circus, which hosts the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines.

Buy Death Note: The Musical tickets at LW Theatres

On RadioTimes.com, we like to help you do the things you love for less; just check out our how to get cheap theatre tickets and how to get cheap cinema tickets guides.

Death Note: The Musical cast for London 2023 shows

Hot off the press: the musical has just announced the cast which will be leading the two London performances. Let's find out who they are.

Olivier Award nominee Frances Mayli McCann will be taking on the role of Misa in Death Note: The Musical. McCann is best known for her role as Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde, and her stage credits include roles in Heathers the Musical and Les Misérables, amongst others.

Stepping into the role of L is Dean John-Wilson. Wilson is acclaimed in the West End scene for his roles in Aladdin, The King and I, and From Here to Eternity.

Finally, who will play Light in Death Note: The Musical? Having previously portrayed Simba in the UK tour of The Lion King, and Ram Sweeney in Heathers the Musical, Joaquin Pedro Valdes will step into Light's shoes.

Buy Death Note: The Musical tickets at LW Theatres

How much do Death Note: The Musical tickets cost?

At the time of writing, tickets for both 7.30pm performances on Monday 21st August and Tuesday 22nd August start from £40.

Buy Death Note: The Musical tickets at LW Theatres

How to get tickets to Death Note: The Musical

Tickets for Death Note: The Musical are on sale right now, having been released at 10am this morning (Friday 2nd June). There wasn’t a pre-sale for this event, so the general on sale is your one chance to secure tickets.

As we mentioned earlier, as Death Note: The Musical is wildly popular and only in London for two days, we imagine tickets will sell fast. So we recommend heading to the LW Theatres website as soon as you can.

Buy Death Note: The Musical tickets at LW Theatres

Are you travelling to London for Death Note: The Musical? We have some great activity suggestions in our top London experience gifts, best London comedy shows and best London walking tour guides.

Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives.

Advertisement

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement