London Palladium 21 – 22 August
Lyric Theatre 7 – 10 September
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
If this is the concert version of Death Note, the mind boggles at what a full scale production would be. The atmosphere in the Palladium for the European English language premiere of this incredible show was electric – with many fans in cosplay and screams of appreciation when beloved characters first appeared onstage.
Based on the bestselling manga, which has been adapted into anime, live-action films and a TV series, a musical version could have been a step too far, but Frank Wildhorn’s rock and pop infused score is the perfect match for the darkly humorous plot. Die-hard fans will be a step ahead, but Ivan Menchell’s book and the fantastic performances make the plot clear for those completely unfamiliar with the world of Death Note. When high school student Light (Joaquin Pedro Valdes) chances upon a mysterious notebook – the Death Note – and reads that simply writing a name in the book will kill that person, he begins a campaign of justice. Naively believing that he can create a better, safer world, Light kills many criminals, becoming a hero to the masses, who call their mysterious anonymous vigilante Kira. The authorities view Kira as a dangerous murderer but, unable to track him down, they must turn to the brilliant and enigmatic L (Dean John Wilson) – imagine a hybrid Sherlock Holmes/boyband member/cult leader – leading to a thrilling cat and mouse game between Light and L before their final confrontation. Watching over the drama, like a malevolent crow is Ryuk (Adam Pascal), a Shinigami and original owner of the Death Note. The gritty moral questions about differences between justice and law, and the perversion caused by power are tackled with sincerity but are all offset by the bored and sarcastic interjections of the Shinigami observing – reminding us of humanity’s fragility and futility in their universe.
Justin Williams’ set design and Ben Cracknell’s lighting conjure up the atmosphere of manga panels and pop concerts, and the differentiation between locations is never confusing. Nick Winston’s choreography and direction is incredible for a concert version, a tantalising teaser of what is possible on a full set. Frank Wildhorn’s music, with lyrics by Jack Murphy, is nuanced and exciting with a score jam-packed with memorable songs that suit the characters perfectly. There are some killer duets/duels between Light and L that showcased the amazing vocals of Joaquin Pedro Valdes and Dean John Wilson magnificently, while Frances Mayli McCann creates magic with “Borrowed Time” and Aimie Atkinson’s ethereal rendition of “When Love Comes” is gorgeous. The cast all impress, with Valdes and Wilson both keeping the audience on their toes with their intense portrayals of the complex young men, causing your sympathies to shift from one to the other constantly. Adam Pascal and Aimie Atkinson are great fun as the two Shinigami with fantastical costumes that never outshine their characterisation of the light and shade of death. Frances Mayli McCann’s doesn’t have much stage time, but McCann makes every second count as the tragic Misa.
The twists and turns of the plot and the variety of musical styles used keep the audience enthralled and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this show’s evolution. As it stands, this concert version is a spectacular and dynamic production bringing a fresh new audience to the West End and hitting the stage with an unforgettable impact.