Death Note The Musical

Barbican Theatre

Stakes are high from start to finish, and the audience is in silent anticipation for how the story unfolds. Prepare to be blown away by visuals, as the cast performs many ballads.

Have you read or watched the anime 'Death Note'? Well, this review is coming from an audience member with minimal knowledge, and I can assure you that you don't need the background knowledge to appreciate this musical. However, if you are a fan, I can also guarantee you that your favourite story has been really well adapted into a stage musical. It's a treat for all and a great way to introduce audience members to the world of anime. The Barbican Theatre was the most fitting venue.

If you were given a notebook in which writing a person's name would cause them to die, what would you do? It's a tough one, isn't it? There are so many questions and difficult themes presented to this musical's audience, and you sit and question what is good and what is not. It's the perfect story for a piece of theatre; the depth the musical gives the characters leaves the audience craving more. It's the first time I've actually not wanted an interval. Each character has been cast with the most divine performers who perform like there is no tomorrow! In all honesty, the visuals are a piece of art; it's impossible not to be impressed by the amount of thought that has gone into turning an anime into a piece of theatre. It's impressive! However, whilst the story is intoxicating, there are so many powerful ballads because the stakes are so high that the more there are, the more power they lose. There are so many 'I want' songs, and you just long for something a little above the surface. Whilst yes, the characters need a motive to sing, it just loses the audience connection, because there are so many and a selection that are similar. That being said, as a stand-alone, each song is well written; well thought out, and the performers have put so much thought into the way they deliver them. Each riff has a reason. Some great songwriting by Jack Murphy and music by Frank Wildhorn. It really captures that anime drama. I feel at a loss, as I had not seen the staged concert a couple of years ago to see how the show has progressed.

Xander Pang plays 'Light ', and Colin Ryan plays rival 'L'. Their power struggle on stage is captivating. As the story unfolds and the stakes get higher and higher, the two have such an animated power battle; it leaves the audience sitting right on the edge of their seat in anticipation of what will happen. Choreography by Fabian Aloise for the two is so artistic; there is this incredible tennis match between the two, and there are dancers that mimic them. This moment is so strong and creative... however, the references to 'Fortnite' dances cheapen the incredibly well-crafted number. The two have such a stunning rivalry on stage that develops them into two desperate characters racing to get on top and get rid of the other. The emotion and the animation of their acting is spellbinding. Three performers who put an abundance of work into their performance to symbolise the perfect transition from anime to stage are the shinigami characters: Telly Leung, who plays the devious 'Ryuk', Grace Mouat, who plays 'Rem ', and Chloe Saracco, who plays 'Gelus'. The three have such different characteristics, and with the help of the costumes by Sachiko Nakahara, Hair/wigs/make up by Alice Dawson Whale, they create these unique characters well. Mouat and Saracco are the characters that create this beautiful connection with the audience, and their stories conjure up so much emotion in the audience. Whilst Mouat's character has the most intoxicating character arc, this is such a different character from this performer and truly shows how inspiring and versatile she is; there really isn't anything Mouat can't do! The whole cast put so much energy and commitment into their performance to create this animated world.

Alas, this animated world wouldn't be such a high standard without the groundbreaking, artistic set by Jon Bausor. Even without the performance, the designs alone are quite the work of art. With, of course, the enhancement of the lighting by Jen Schriever. It's impossible not to be taken aback with appreciation by the visuals; without giving anything away, there are so many images created that just leave you gobsmacked by the thought that has gone into them and the way they pull the audience into the story. Sound, designed by Peter Hylenski, is a strong element that works hard to animate the whole theatre. The way the sound moves around the audience gives this idea of popping up news bulletins, creating a concert setting and the sounds of the environment. It's impeccable. Whilst the performance is, of course, divine, the design elements alone are an art piece that deserve their own appreciation, because they play such an integral part in bringing the anime world to the stage, and it has worked incredibly well. Hats off to every design element, because it's clearly taken so much thought and hard work to craft unique moments even for just a few seconds in a scene to get the audience into the story.

Without a doubt, 'Death Note' the musical is such a great anime to be brought to the stage, because it is so musical coded, with its super high stakes. This is also such an incredible way to introduce musical/theatre fans to the world of anime and get them interested in Deathnote; for many anime lovers, it is also their first and favourite. Walking away from the show, I would like to read or watch it! Whilst there are areas that do lack charm and individuality for a musical, it is quite the piece of work that has been incredibly well received by the audience and loved by anime fans. It was so interesting to see the audience so silent during scenes and so sucked into the show. Death Note is a musical that I would urge people to go and see; it's such a great anime-to-stage adaptation, and it will leave you blown away, I assure you.