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This production is suitable for ages 12+. No under 5s will be admitted.
Performance Dates
30 July - 12 September 2026
Run time: 2h 20 mins
Includes interval
If you had the power over life and death, what would you do?
This summer, the hotly anticipated world premiere of Death Note: The Musical, arrives at the Barbican for 50 performances only from 30 July to 12 September.
With over 30 million copies sold worldwide, the legendary manga phenomenon by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata is a global sensation that has captivated audiences for almost twenty years, including multiple sell-out seasons of the musical in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
Now, boldly reimagined for the London stage in close collaboration with the original Japanese producers, HoriPro, this new musical features an electrifying score by Tony, Grammy and Emmy nominee Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Jack Murphy and a book by Ivan Menchell. Death Note: The Musical is set to be the theatrical event of the summer.
When brilliant student Light Yagami discovers a notebook with the power to determine who lives and who dies, his mission to reshape society quickly spirals out of control and attracts the attention of the elusive and ruthless detective L. What begins as justice descends into obsession and forces both Light and L to confront the limits of morality itself.
Write a name. Change the world.
The West End may be home to some of the longest-running musicals in the world, but it’s also renowned for its new and groundbreaking shows. As a global leader in theatre and performance, the West End has to stay fresh. That’s why there are always so many new shows opening in London each month.
Many shows have strictly limited runs, so if you don’t know what’s on when, you’re probably going to miss it. From star-studded casts to revivals, brand-new works to eagerly anticipated transfers, London theatre is chock-full of must-see musicals.
With new shows constantly opening in the West End, it’s easy to accidentally miss the hottest ticket in town because you didn’t have easy access to all the news and updates about new musicals this month. But that’s about to change.
Find out about all the new musicals starting this month so you don’t let them slip past you.
With more theatre spaces than ever before, plus a surge in innovation, London theatre is constantly getting an injection of creativity and must-see shows. Whether you’re looking for kids’ shows, stage adaptations, classic musicals or tributes, there’s something for everyone when it comes to new musicals in the West End.
Here’s all of the new musicals opening this July. What are you going to see?
Playing at the Garrick Theatre, this show, inspired by Nina Simone’s life, is a must-see for anyone who loves her music.
Apphia Campbell’s critically acclaimed show tells the story of one of history’s most beloved singers and music creators. Not only does Black Is The Color Of My Voice explore Nina Simone as a pioneer in the jazz, blues, gospel, and classical music space, it also explores her work as a civil rights activist.
The show received standing ovations at its sell-out tours in Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh, and London's West End, as well as receiving the Best Theatre Award at Adelaide Fringe 2024.
It’s a must-see show and it opens on 12 July 2026.
What musical theatre fan hasn’t dreamt of seeing Cats? The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that changed musical theatre forever is returning to London, and it’s one of the hottest new musicals opening this month.
Playing at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this production lets you step into a mysterious world where the cast of Cats are trying to determine which of them will be chosen to ascend into a new, better life. Taking place under the stars, it’s a truly magical, immersive setting.
Cats will have a strictly limited run from 30 July to 19 September 2026.
From page to screen to stage. This brand-new stage adaptation of the legendary manga is making its world debut at the Barbican Theatre.
Death Note - The Musical is about a gifted student who discovers a notebook that grants the power of life over death. However, his attempt to create a better world takes a dangerous turn, and his actions attract the attention of a relentless detective.
Death Note - The Musical is one of the hottest new shows opening this month in London. The run starts on 30 July 2026. And, as part of our Big Summer Theatre Event, you can watch the show and ask the cast anything you want at our exclusive Q&A (1 September only).
Just in time to entertain your kids this summer holiday, Dog Man: The Musical is playing at the South Bank Centre from 29 July 2026.
Based on Dav Pilkey’s beloved graphic novels, Dog Man: The Musical will tell the story of a cop who’s part dog, part man, and all hero!
There’s a brand-new musical comedy inspired by the extraordinary life of Sir Grayson Perry playing for just five performances this month.
Written by Grayson Perry himself, this inspiring show navigates his journey to self-acceptance despite his hardships.
Playing at Soho Theatre, Walthamstow from 16-19 July 2026.
Heathers the Musical is set to blow up The Arts at Marble Arch when it returns to London for 52 performances only.
The stage adaptation of the cult classic film tells the story of Veronica, an outsider who is close to breaking into the inner circle of the popular girls, the Heathers, until a mysterious and rebellious boy joins the school and things get deadly serious… in a dark comedy kind of way.
Opening on 9 July, it’s one of the hottest new musicals starting this month.
3 Jul, 2026 | By Carly Clements-Yu
The world premiere of Death Note: The Musical is coming to London for a strictly limited 6-week run at the Barbican, from 30 July to 12 September. Here’s your Death Note guide to everything you need to know about the musical adaptation of the manga phenomenon.
A talented, intelligent high school student in Japan named Light Yagami finds a mysterious black notebook with peculiar rules inside. What we discover to be the ‘Death Note’ has a set of rules inside that can lead to ending someone’s life within seconds of writing their name in this book, as long as the writer knows the target’s true name and face.
Light seizes the opportunity found before him, by using his new found powerful notebook to target high-profile criminals. A detective named L hunts Light, and manipulates him into killing a decoy. Taunted by L, Light vows to kill him and find out his name.
Little does he know, there’s a second Death Note sent to the human world, to Misa Amane who trades half of her life to another shinigami (a divine being who invites humans towards death) named Rem, to possess the power to reveal the name of any face she sees. Something that can help Light find the mysterious L, who taunts him…
23 Jun, 2026 | By Alicia Bridge
The full company has been announced for the new London production of Death Note: The Musical, which opens at the Barbican Theatre on 30 July 2026 for a strictly limited six-week run.
Previously announced stars Xander Pang and Colin Ryan will be joined by Stephanie Zaharis as Misa Amane, Telly Leung as Ryuk, Grace Mouat as Rem, Paolo Montalban as Soichiro Yagami, Chloe Saracco as Jerasu and Elise Buckley as Sayu.
16 Jun, 2026 | By Hay Brunsdon
Xander Pang and Colin Ryan have been announced to star in the brand new reimagined production of the global phenomenon Death Note: The Musical. The show opens at the Barbican Theatre, London on 30 July 2026 and plays for a strictly limited season until 12 September 2026.
Xander Pang will play Light Yagami, the gifted student who discovers the Death Note, while Colin Ryan takes on the role of L, the enigmatic detective determined to uncover him.
14 May, 2026 | By Hay Brunsdon
World Book Day celebrates the stories that live long beyond the page, travelling from novels, myths, and comics into new artistic forms. Many of today’s most popular theatre productions began life as works of fiction that captured imaginations around the world.
From classic literature and children’s favourites to modern fantasy and graphic storytelling, these shows demonstrate how powerful characters and narratives can become when reimagined for the stage.
Created by Michael Bond in 1958, Paddington first appeared in the children’s book A Bear Called Paddington. The story follows a kindly Peruvian bear who arrives in London with little more than a suitcase, a love of marmalade sandwiches, and an instinct for finding adventure wherever he goes. The character quickly became a British cultural icon, representing politeness, curiosity, and gentle chaos. The stage adaptation, Paddington The Musical brings the wonderful bear warmth (and signature ‘hard stare’) to audiences through song, storytelling, and family-friendly spectacle.
Published in 2003 by Lauren Weisberger, this novel offers a satirical look at the fashion industry through the eyes of a young journalist working for a notoriously demanding magazine editor. The story explores ambition, workplace pressure, and identity in a high-fashion world. The musical adaptation transforms the humour and social commentary of the book into an energetic stage production that has been developed for West End audiences. Don’t miss The Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion Theatre.
Based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, Wicked reimagines the world of Oz from the perspective of its misunderstood witches. Rather than focusing on traditional heroism, the story explores friendship, prejudice, and moral ambiguity. The musical, with music by Stephen Schwartz, has become one of the most successful West End and international productions, continuing to draw large audiences to its long-running London home.
Written by Roald Dahl in 1988, Matilda tells the story of a brilliant young girl who discovers she possesses extraordinary telekinetic powers. Despite facing neglect from her family and cruelty from school authority figures, Matilda uses intelligence, kindness, and courage to shape her own destiny. The musical version - Matilda The Musical - plays at Cambridge Theatre in London, combining energetic choreography, memorable songs, and imaginative storytelling.
Published by Charles Dickens in 1837, this classic Victorian novel follows the orphan Oliver as he navigates poverty, crime, and society’s inequalities in London. The story introduced unforgettable characters such as Fagin and the Artful Dodger, helping shape modern social fiction. The musical Oliver! brought Dickens’ story to the stage with iconic songs and continues to influence British musical theatre.
Set in 1930s Berlin, Cabaret draws inspiration from Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood. The production examines the rise of political extremism through the intimate lives of performers at the Kit Kat Club. Its famous songs and haunting atmosphere make it both entertaining and deeply political. The West End revival at Playhouse Theatre London continues to captivate audiences.
Inspired by Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables, this epic musical explores themes of justice, revolution, love, and redemption in 19th-century France. The sweeping score by Claude-Michel Schönberg has helped make the show one of the world’s most enduring theatrical successes, with its long-running London production continuing to attract new generations of theatregoers.
5 Mar, 2026 | By Hay Brunsdon
30th July is a date you need to write down - just make sure it's the right book - because Death Note: The Musical is finally having its long-awaited world premiere in London. Following critically acclaimed concert stagings at the London Palladium and the Lyric Theatre, the brand-new full-length musical will play at the Barbican for just 50 performances, from 30 July to 12 September.
Based on the iconic manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Death Note has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and captivated audiences for nearly two decades. The musical has already enjoyed multiple sell-out runs in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, cementing its reputation as a modern cult classic.
UK audiences first encountered the musical in English in 2023, with semi-staged concert performances at London Palladium and the Lyric Theatre. Now, the story receives its first fully staged world premiere, reimagined specifically for London in close collaboration with original Japanese producers HoriPro.
26 Feb, 2026 | By Sian McBride
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