The Death Note Reviews are in! Read on to find out what critics thought!

Death Note officially opened this week, though the road to get here has been a long one! The original musical was written back in 2013 and premiered in Tokyo in Japanese. Over the next ten years it was adapted into Korean, Russian, and Portuguese. The first English language production came in the form of a concert staging held for two nights at the London Palladium in August 2022. This was followed by a three night run at the Lyric Theatre the following September. Finally, a fully realized English language version has debuted and is running until September 12th at the Barbican Centre.

The Reviews are In:

What is Death Note About?

Death Note is about a brilliant high school student, Light, who discovers a supernatural notebook. This notebook has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. Determined to reshape the world according to his own sense of justice, he begins secretly eliminating criminals. This draws the attention of a mysterious, world-class detective who becomes determined to unmask him. What follows is a tense, intellectual game of cat-and-mouse between two geniuses. Each one is convinced they’re in the right, as the show explores questions of justice, power, and the cost of playing god.

This show is a pop/rock stage adaptation of the wildly popular manga and anime series of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. It has music by Frank Wildhorn (Bonnie & Clyde, Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Jack Murphy (The Civil War, Wonderland, Rudolf: The Last Kiss), and a book by Ivan Menchell (Bonnie & Clyde, The Nanny, Phil of the Future).

Who is in Death Note?

Heading the cast is Xander Pang as Light. WhatsOnStage calls him a “superb find,” with Radio Times describing his performance as “incredible” and “effortless.” Joining him in leading roles are Colin Ryan as L, the detective tasked with tracking Light down, and Stephanie Zaharis as Misa, a popstar who finds herself wrapped up in Light’s journey. All three leads have had stellar reviews; with The Guardian saying “all three performers attack their roles with grade-A gusto.”

They are joined by Telly Leun as Ryuk, Grace Mouat as Rem, Paolo Montalban as Soichiro, Chloe Saracco as Gelus, and Elsie Buckley as Sayu. The ensemble is made up of Louise Liluna Browning, Aoife Haakenson, Samantha Ho, Katie Ka Lay Ho, Olivia Hazel Jones, Matthew Koon, Abel Law, Luchia Moss, Patrick Munday, Richie Paisley, Regine Phua, Nicky Wong Rush, and Ernest Stroud. Nicole Carlisle, Renz Cardenas, David Ouch, and Sian Yeo are the show’s swings, with Yeo also serving as Dance Captain.

How do I get cheap tickets for Death Note?

You can buy them with Theatre Bookings online by clicking here. However, for the best prices call us on 0207 087 2999 or visit us in person on the same week that you wish to see the show.

Make the most of the final weeks of summer with a trip to the West End. It’s a fantastic way to bring the whole family together and create lasting memories. To help you choose, we’ve rounded up a selection of summer shows currently playing, organized by age group. (Psst- these are the ones that won’t break the bank!)

Under 5

Be Like Blippi

Join Blippi and Meekah live on stage for a one-of-a-kind interactive adventure that inspires kids to move like, play like, and explore just like Blippi!

This show is 80 minutes long and plays at The Arts at Marble Arch. Tickets are starting at £22.50.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!

This show is 55 minutes long and plays at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Tickets are starting at £9.50.

The Gruffalo

 Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the high-spirited Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there?

This show is 1 hour long and plays at the Lyric Theatre. Tickets are starting at £11.

6+

Disney’s Hercules

Ancient Greece. A time of gods, mortals… and Hercules, who isn’t quite either. But if he’s not a god, how can he possibly save the world from Hades? It’s one thing flexing those pecs, but going from zero to hero requires a different kind of strength.

This show is 2 hours and 10 minutes long and plays at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Tickets start at £31.

My Neighbour Totoro

My Neighbour Totoro is an enchanting coming-of-age story exploring the magical fantasy world of childhood and the transformative power of imagination, as it follows one extraordinary summer in the lives of sisters Satsuki and Mei.

This show is 2 hours and 30 minutes long and plays at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Tickets are starting at £34.

7+

Wicked

Wicked is the magical story of an unexpected friendship between two young women whose lives take very different paths in the Land of Oz. With spectacular songs, breath-taking stage effects, and plenty of heart, it’s a fun and unforgettable musical the whole family can enjoy.

This show is 2 hours and 45 minutes long and plays at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Tickets start at £32.50.

Oliver!

Oliver! is a lively and heart-warming musical packed with unforgettable songs, colourful characters, and plenty of adventure. Follow young Oliver as he journeys through Victorian London, making new friends, facing exciting challenges, and discovering where he truly belongs.

This show is 2 hours and 40 minutes long and plays at the Gielgud Theatre. Tickets start at £39.

8+

The Devil Wears Prada

Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion’s most powerful and terrifying icon — editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda’s impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised. How far will she go to succeed… and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted.

This show is 2 hours and 35 minutes long and plays at the Dominion Theatre. Tickets start at £27.50.

10+

The Comedy About Spies

When a rogue British agent pilfers plans for a top-secret weapon, CIA and KGB spies converge on London’s Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of the elusive file. Join a clueless young couple, a hapless actor angling for an exciting spy movie role, and enough double agents to confuse even the sharpest operative, in a mission that’s hilariously out of control.

This show is 2 hours and 20 minutes long and plays at the Adelphi Theatre.

12+

Beetlejuice

Meet Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager sharing her home with a pair of newly-deads and the demonic ghost with the most, Beetlejuice. He’s dead trouble, but if you really want to feel alive, just say his name three times…

This show is 2 hours and 40 minutes long and plays at the Prince Edward Theatre.

Death Note the Musical

If you had the power over life and death, what would you do? 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.

This show is 2 hours and 20 minutes long and plays at the Barbican.

This year has seen a dramatic increase in puppetry in the West End. Puppets have been around for centuries, with evidence of their existence dating back to Greece in the 5th century BCE. From finger puppets, to shadow puppets, to marionettes, there are dozens of different kinds of puppets. Let’s talk about how they’re being used on the West End today!

The Lion King

Certainly one of the biggest examples of puppetry in the West End is The Lion King. This show uses over 232 puppets, and each one is specially crafted to have a certain affect onstage. Zazu, pictured above, is a hand puppet. The actor holds controls that trigger his mouth and eyes in one hand, and the movement of the other arm controls his wings.

Another notable puppet is the cheetah, pictured below. The actress controls the back legs of the cheetah with her legs, the front legs with her hands, and she controls the cheetah’s head with her own. She wears a special headpiece that connects to the cheetah’s head with cables. This fully aligns her movements with the cheetah, allowing for a full transformation. Neat, huh?

My Neighbour Totoro

Another brilliant example of puppetry in the West End is My Neighbour Totoro.

The puppets used in this show were designed by international award-winning puppeteer Basil Twist in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company. This show features five different sized Totoro puppets and seven Sho-Totoro puppets (pictured below), as well as many others, such as soot sprites and chickens.

Since the Totoro puppets are very large, they require a team of puppeteers to operate. Bringing this iconic character to life was no small feat. Putting an animated film with so many magical elements on the stage required utilizing many different crafts. Did you know that every single piece of Totoro’s fur is individually tied onto his body? This was to give him the ultimate soft-and-fuzzy look, so the audience would feel as though they want to touch him.

Avenue Q

Last on our puppet round-up is Avenue Q!

This hilarious show features a range of characters- humans, puppets, and monsters alike! The show primarily uses two different kinds of puppets: rod and live-hand, both pictured below. Rod puppets only require a single actor to operate. The actor uses one hand to manipulate the puppet’s mouth and head and the other to move either one or both of the puppet’s hands using rods. Live-hand puppets use two actors- one controls the head, mouth, and one hand of the puppet, and the other controls the other hand. It can be a real challenge for the two actors to stay completely in sync while puppeteering!

These are only three examples of puppetry in the West End, but many shows use puppetry in some form or another. Whatever show you choose to see this summer, take a moment to appreciate the dedication and artistry that goes into every aspect of bringing it to life!

The Producers closing date has been confirmed! Mel Brooks’ The Producers has been playing at the Garrick Theatre since the end of August 2025. After nearly a year of stellar performances, they have announced they are closing on September 19th, 2026.

Based on the 1967 film of the same name, The Producers follows two Broadway producers in the 1950s. They scheme to produce a terrible show to commit fraud. Complications arise, however, when they realize they’ve accidentally created a smash hit. This show is an outrageous comedy that is sure to have you laughing out loud.

The original Broadway production opened in 2001 starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. A production on the West End followed closely in 2004. This revival stars Andy Nyman as Max Bialystock and Marc Antolin as Leo Bloom- the titular producers. Joining them are Johanna Woodward, Trevor Ashley, Raj Ghatak, and Harry Morrison in the principal cast.

How did critics review The Producers?

This production earned 4 and 5 star reviews across the board. Anya Ryan of London Theatre said “…it delivers one belly laugh after another. And still, there is so much more to this production than good, old-fashioned tomfoolery.” Nick Curtis of The Standard declares “I honestly can’t find fault with it.” Read more review excerpts here.

How do I get tickets?

The Producers plays Monday-Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30, with 2:30 matinees on Thursday and Saturday. We have exclusive discounted tickets available at our box office in Leicester Square. Alternatively, tickets are available here for as little as £22 on select performances. The Producers will be closing mid September, so with only 12 more weeks of performances, be sure to grab your tickets today!

This show is recommended for ages 13+ (contains scenes of a sexual nature, and references to Adolf Hitler and Nazis).

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Leslie Odom Jr.’s return to Hamilton was announced last week. And tickets have just gone on sale for Delfont Mackintosh Members! Although many people will still be waiting for the priority and general sale to start over the next two days. We have out together a guide on pricing, availability and other important information you should know before booking.

How can I book tickets early

Priority Sign up is available to all on the Hamilton official site and is free to join. This will start on Thursday 12th March at 11am. And a link will be emailed to all those who have signed up. General sale will begin a day later on the 13th. However if you are worried about missing out there is another option of securing tickets now. If you sign up to be a Delfont Mackintosh member amongst a few other perks you get priority access to many events such as this. Tickets have already gone on sale to members this morning. The membership is £40 per annum and includes a variety of perks such as Programme vouchers, 10% of food and drink and other exclusive perks.

What days is Leslie Odom Jr performing

Leslie Odom Jr. is currently scheduled to play all the shows between July 3rd and September 5th. With one notable exception. He will be missing the shows from July 27th to July 29th. This has been announced on the official Delfont Mackintosh site but it is also clearly stated if you click to book those dates. The appearance of any cast member is never guaranteed however, due to unavoidable circumstances such as illness.

Leslie Odom Jr. Hamilton Return Prices

This might be the biggest question on everyone’s mind. The Broadway run sold out very quickly and due to dynamic pricing tickets were starting from $160 to $1000 towards the end. The West End is famously much more affordable than Broadway. Now that they are on sale to members we have the early reports of the pricing.

They are starting from £45-£275. This is slightly higher than current West End pricing although during the summer holidays shows are normally higher regardless. Top priced tickets range from £150-£275 for the stalls and dress circle but front row tickets are £90-100 for most weekdays. The Grand Circle is starting at £45 for the back and £90 for the front which when compared to Broadway is much more reasonable. Tickets are sure to go quickly for Leslie Odom Jr. Hamilton Return. I would recommend everyone who wants to go to either sign up for priority or book as soon as possible.

Miss Saigon returns to the West End in May next year! It will be setting up camp at the Prince Edward Theatre for a strictly limited 8 month run. The Prince Edward is currently home to MJ the Musical until the end of the month. Before Beetlejuice opens it’s doors in April after a long-awaited West End Transfer. Beetlejuice will be running until April 2027 before Miss Saigon. This is also the original Theatre Miss Saigon was in more than a decade earlier during it’s first West End stint. The show has remained enduringly popular and is currently on a UK Tour. The tour is a huge success with shows sold out well in advance and even returning to venues due to demand.

Fun Fact

The show is also known to play big roles in helping talented actors launch their careers. With Lea Salonga winning a tony and Olivier for the role when she originated the role in 1989. She was also the first asian women to win these accolades. Eva Noblezada also took on the role at the age of 17 in the 25th anniversary revival back in 2014. Following this she went to star in Hadestown and The Great Gatsby.

The show is produced by Cameron Macintosh who other impressive repertoire include : Les Miserables, Hamilton, Mamma Mia!, Oliver! and The Book of Mormon.

He said regarding this new production of Miss Saigon, “We set out to achieve this by moving away from the show’s original operatic Madame Butterfly inspiration and instead refocusing on its gritty 1970s dramatic and musical roots.

The show, through its extraordinary score, retains its epic scale and emotional power. But now – 50 years on from when our war-torn love story was set, during the Fall of Saigon – the plight and struggles of its innocent characters fighting for survival are more poignant and moving than ever in a world still beset by many conflicts.”

Tickets will go on sale in March 2026 with the full details of the dates and cast confirmed at a later time. Miss Saigon returns in May 2027.

The rumours were true! After the speculation last year Jonathon Bailey has seemingly posted a confirmation on his Instagram. Before the official word was out. The Wicked stars will be reuniting on stage next summer for a revival of the classic Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park with George. This will also be Ariana Grande West End debut.

Sunday in the Park with George is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine. The show was loosely based on A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. by Georges Seurat, a renowned painter. The show has not been seen in a major production in London in almost 20 years.

Marianne Elliott will be directing this new production and reuniting with Jonathan Bailey after their previous work on Cock and Company. Tom Scutt will be working on the design. Which is very exciting after his incredible work on another Sondheim revival, Into the Woods.

The production will open at the Barbican Centre in summer 2027. Tickets will be on sale exclusively at the Barbican box office. They will go on sale in May this year. More specific info will be announced soon!

T’is the season for new West End shows! We are now entering one of the busiest seasons for the West End with Christmas and the holiday period just ahead. Tourism is quickly climbing and everyone is looking to spend some days in London to get in that festive spirit. It’s no surprise it will coincide therefore with the busiest time period for theatre as well. Besides that many shows have also closed recently. While some were long runners, others were from strictly limited seasons but that still means quite a few theatres are empty. But they won’t be for long. Today we’ll be discussing every single show that has or is planning to open in December and whether you should try to catch it!

Into the Woods

In this revival of the classic Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical. The Baker, the Baker’s Wife, the Witch, Jack, Little Red Riding hood, Cinderella and Rapunzel take us beyond the happy ever after and shows us where the story goes and what really matters. The show is playing at the Bridge Theatre and has already proved quite popular.The cast is also nothing to scoff at with the likes of Jamie Parker, Bella Brown, Kate Fleetwood, Jo Foster and Chumisa Dornford-May.

Oh, Mary!

The show has just opened for previews and audiences are overjoyed that this hit Broadway play has made its way overseas. Written by Cole Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton Oh, Mary! started off Broadway but it quickly made a name for itself. This furthermore culminated in an ongoing Broadway run and a Tony award win for Cole at the 2025 Tony’s. The show has transferred over to the Trafalgar Theatre and now stars Mason Alexander Park in the titular role. Mason is known for their work with Jamie Lloyd on stage. Starring in Much Ado about Nothing and The Tempest as well as her television work as Desire in the Netflix series the Sandman. Alongside Mason Giles Terera play Abraham Lincoln or Mary’s Husband. Giles is best known for his work in the original West End cast of Hamilton playing Aaron Burr. For which he won the Olivier.

Paranormal Activity

Based on the cult classic film Paranormal Activity this thrilling new stage play will be at the Ambassador’s Theatre for 16 weeks only. We follow James and Lou on their journey from Chicago to London where they are trying to escape their past. However they soon discover that places are not what’s haunted. It’s the people. The show is recommended for 15+ so while it may not be the best family show this Christmas. It’ll definitely provide a thrilling theatre experience. The show is also on at the Ambassador’s a fairly small theatre so it should all feel very immersive.

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

The latest show by mischief comedy in their spectacular goes wrong series. This new comedy play is at the Apollo Theatre and will be playing till the 25th January. Mischief comedy is a comedy group who are responsible for The Play That Goes Wrong. Which has been playing for a historic 10 years now at least. The show recently celebrated becoming the longest running comedy on the West End. Therefore make sure you catch this brilliant new comedy before it heads off on tour.

Woman in Mind

Woman in Mind is a new dark comic psychological drama from the incredible Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Starring Oliver award winner Sheridan Smith and directed by Michael Longhurst. Who recently directed the record breaking revival of Next to Normal and was the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse. The play follows Susan whose world splits into two after bumping her head. One mundane and the other imagined. Slowly the lines begin to blur. The show is a hilarious yet gripping drama centering on the themes of identity, family and mental escape. The show also stars Romesh Ranganathan an acclaimed comedian who is finally making his high anticipated West End debut.

High Noon

The world premier of High Noon will begin playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre mid December. This is Oscar winning screenwriter Eric Roth’s first work for the stage. The script is based on the iconic four-time Oscar winning film High Noon. The film was directed by Fred Zinnemann with a screenplay by Carl Foreman. And is often hailed as the greatest Western Film ever. This new adaptation will be directed by Olivier-award winner Thea Sharrock. The play is set in the American West in the 1800s and follows Will Kane (Billy Crudup) and Amy Fowler (Denise Gough) as they explore their bond. While tested by impossible choices all while the return of deadly outlaw Frank Miller looms on the horizon. The show will explore classic themes of courage, justice and duty vs cowardice, peace and desire. The play is on a strictly limited run until March 6th.

Book your tickets now to see these new West End shows this holiday period with Theatrebookings!

Just ahead of Paddington’s official opening night on the West End they have revealed their official production images. The Paddington production images shows the viral Paddington bear puppet. As well as some of the gorgeous sets and musical numbers in the show. The musical is based on the movie Paddington and the book A bear called Paddington and features songs by Tom Fletcher and a book by Jessica Swale.

The musical stars James hameed as Paddington’s off stage performer and Arti Shah as Paddington’s on stage performer. Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Millicent Clyde, Timi Akinyosade as Tony, Amy Booth-Steel as Lady Sloane, Delilah Bennett-Cardy as Judy Brown. Furthermore it features Adrian Der Gregorin as Mr Brown, Ellen Richardson as Mrs Brown. Tarinn Callender as Grant and Teddy Kempner as Mr Gruber.

The Paddington puppet has captured the hearts of everyone worldwide and the team responsible for the incredible design is Tahra Zafar (bear designer). Audrey Brisson (Bear physicality associate director), Phil Woodfine (remote puppetry coach) and Annabelle Davis (Paddington bear casting director).

The musical follows the story of the film and tells of a lost bear from Peru who finds a new home with the Brown family after arriving in London. The show will delve into the challenges london presents. And the Browns mission to rescue Paddington when he’s targeted by Millicent Clyde. Songs from the show include, Pretty Little Dead Things. The Explorer and the Bear and One of us.

The show is currently booking until October 2026!

With Halloween now officially behind us Christmas is in full swing in the West End. Elf the musical which is a West End classic has reopened at the Aldwych theatre. And new production elf photos have been released! This time starring the extrememly talented couple Joel Montague and Carrie Hope Fletcher. And we now have the first elf photos with this new cast. Joel is known for his roles in Hamilton, The Great Gatsby and The Producers. While Carrie Hope Fletcher is a household name now with her many high profile roles in Les Mis, Heathers. She is now also Jenna in Waitress on the upcoming UK tour. But first this real life couple will be falling in love nightly at this fun festive show.

The new cast looks amazing as does the Aldwych Theatre which took on some rennovations after the closing of Tina in order to expand the stage for the full set of Elf. And the finiishing touch of a beautiful curtain call where fake snow falls on the audience. The last time Elf was in London was at the Dominion ( now the home of The Devil Wears prada) which had a much bigger stage. But from the photos and audience reaction nothing about this production was toned down. The stage effects add to the magical feel of the show.

Book tickets to see Elf now when the festive season is just startring because we anticipate it will quickly become the most sought after ticket once December comes!