By Grace Hatchell
There’s a new musical in my postbag, and this one has rather more on its mind than whether the last bus home will turn up. AYLA: A New Musical heads to The Other Palace in London on 30 November 2026 for a one-night, semi-staged concert with a four-piece band.
At its centre is a young woman facing a question that’s easier to ask than answer: do you accept the world you’ve inherited, or find the courage to change it?
I’ve had mornings when changing the arrangement of parcels in my trolley felt ambitious enough. Ayla has considerably bigger things to tackle.
Set in a future where the natural world is dying, the story follows communities divided by fear and the struggle to survive. Against that backdrop, Ayla must decide what kind of future she is prepared to fight for.
The musical’s strapline puts it rather neatly: “When the world lost its fire, she found her own.”
That’s certainly got my attention. There’s something about a story that places a little hope in the hands of somebody expected to live with the consequences of everyone else’s decisions.
AYLA comes from award-winning composer and producer Gianluca Cucchiara and Academy Award and BAFTA-winning producer Giovanna Romagnoli. It has spent several years developing through workshops, readings, concerts and recordings, with a concept album already reaching a growing international audience.
Now comes the opportunity to hear it live at The Other Palace. This is a semi-staged concert, so audiences will encounter the musical through that format, with its cast and four-piece band bringing the story and score into the room.
And there are some familiar names gathering for the occasion.
Nathania Ong takes the title role of Ayla. Her credits include Éponine in Les Misérables and Eliza in Hamilton in the West End, alongside Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. She has also performed her solo concert, Honest, in Singapore.
Joining her as Mohr is Djavan van de Fliert, whose roles include Kristoff in Frozen, Enjolras in Les Misérables and Freddy in My Fair Lady at Curve. More recently, he played young Henry Fraser in The Little Big Things at Amsterdam’s Royal Theatre Carré.
Singer-songwriter Arlissa plays Sindah. Her live performances have taken her to London, New York and Los Angeles, while her song ‘Hearts Ain’t Gonna Lie’ has passed 100 million Spotify streams.
One hundred million. Wow.
Astrid Harris, known for playing Céline Dion in Titaníque in Paris and the West End, takes on Tonah. Before her West End debut, she spent seven years performing internationally with her own show, Decades of Divas, following a background in opera and classical singing.
Glenn Adamson plays Rooh. Audiences may recognise him as Strat in Bat Out of Hell, a role he has performed in the West End, on international tours and in the filmed production. His other credits include American Idiot, Closer to Heaven and We Will Rock You.
Completing the casting announced so far is Jonathan Andrew Hume as Crohm. His credits include Simba in The Lion King in London and Singapore, alongside Kevin J in Come From Away and Jane Eyre at Southwark Playhouse.
Further casting will be announced in due course, but that’s already quite a gathering to have around the music stands.
Eleesha Drennan directs the concert. An award-winning choreographer and director, she is Artistic Director of Eleesha Drennan Dance and has worked as Choreography Supervisor on ABBA Voyage.
The musical features music by Gianluca Cucchiara, lyrics by Andrew James Whelan and a book by Clive Frayne. The original concept is by Tony Cucchiara, with dramaturgy by Michael Conley. Cucchiara and Giovanna Romagnoli have created the adaptation for The Other Palace.
Romagnoli’s producing career spans more than forty years across film, music and theatre, including Cinema Paradiso. Cucchiara’s work ranges from stage musicals to music for Italian television, with awards for both original song and original score.
There’s a substantial amount of experience behind this new story, then, as it takes its next step in front of an audience.
The Other Palace’s commitment to developing new musical theatre makes it a fitting place for that step. For those who enjoy discovering a musical while it is still finding its way, this is a date to mark in the diary.
Courage, leadership and the possibility of a future beyond fear and division are at the heart of AYLA. Those are sizeable themes for an evening at the theatre, but I’m curious to hear how this company gives them a voice.
And with just one performance scheduled, you’ll need to be a little more decisive than I am when choosing a sandwich on my lunch break.
AYLA: A New Musical plays The Other Palace’s Main House on 30 November 2026. The running time is approximately one hour and fifty minutes, including an interval, and tickets start at £25.
The production contains themes of conflict and war, with references to death and loss. The performance may also include loud music, flashing lighting, haze and smoke effects.
The Other Palace is at 12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA. For further information, visit www.aylathemusical.com or contact the box office on 020 7592 0302.
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