Xander Pang and Colin Ryan to Star in Death Note: The Musical at the Barbican

Q: What has Xander Pang been in?

Xander Pang is an emerging stage actor who previously appeared as Luke in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at The Other Palace. He has also performed in Macbeth and Beyond Paradise, and trained at the University of Cambridge.

Q: What has Colin Ryan been in?

Colin Ryan has an extensive theatre and screen career, including Hamlet, My Brilliant Friend, and The Lightning Child at Shakespeare’s Globe. His theatre credits also include Wendy and Peter Pan with the RSC, alongside TV work such as Wolf King for Netflix. He is also well known for his voice work in gaming and animation, most notably as the voice of Alphinaud Leveilleur in Final Fantasy XIV. He also voices Apollo in Hades II.

Q: What is Death Note: The Musical about?

Based on the bestselling manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, the story follows Light Yagami, who discovers a supernatural notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. As he begins using it to eliminate criminals, a mysterious figure known as “Kira” emerges, triggering an international investigation led by detective L in a psychological battle between two brilliant minds.

Published on 14 May 2026

Summary

Xander Pang and Colin Ryan star in Death Note: The Musical
Playing at the Barbican Theatre from 30 July to 12 September 2026
Based on hit manga, featuring music by Frank Wildhorn and book by Ivan Menchell.

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.

Who is in the cast of Death Note: The Musical?

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.

Xander Pang and Colin Ryan to Star in Death Note: The Musical at the Barbican

What has Xander Pang been in?

Xander Pang is an emerging stage actor who previously appeared as Luke in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at The Other Palace. He has also performed in Macbeth and Beyond Paradise, and trained at the University of Cambridge.

What has Colin Ryan been in?

Colin Ryan has an extensive theatre and screen career, including Hamlet, My Brilliant Friend, and The Lightning Child at Shakespeare’s Globe. His theatre credits also include Wendy and Peter Pan with the RSC, alongside TV work such as Wolf King for Netflix. He is also well known for his voice work in gaming and animation, most notably as the voice of Alphinaud Leveilleur in Final Fantasy XIV. He also voices Apollo in Hades II.

What is Death Note: The Musical about?

Based on the bestselling manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, the story follows Light Yagami, who discovers a supernatural notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. As he begins using it to eliminate criminals, a mysterious figure known as “Kira” emerges, triggering an international investigation led by detective L in a psychological battle between two brilliant minds.

When and where is Death Note: The Musical playing?

The musical runs at the Barbican Theatre, London, from 30 July to 12 September 2026. Book your Death Note tickets today.

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By Hay Brunsdon

I've over 15 years of writing and editorial experience, and starting working in the West End theatre industry in 2012. When not watching or writing about theatre I'm usually swimming, hiking, running, or training for triathlons in the Stroud valleys.