Take a first listen to new musical Ayla ahead of one-night-only concert

Ayla: A New Musical will receive its first live preview in a one-night semi-staged concert at The Other Palace on 30 November 2026.

The musical is written by composer Gianluca Cucchiara and producer Giovanna Romagnoli, with music by Cucchiara, lyrics by Andrew James Whelan and a book by Clive Frayne. The concert, directed by Eleesha Drennan, will be accompanied by a four-piece band.

Set in a future where a dying natural world has divided communities through fear and the struggle for survival, the story follows a young woman faced with the choice of accepting the world she has inherited or finding the courage to change it.

The cast includes Nathania Ong as Ayla, Djavan van de Fliert (Frozen) as Mohr, singer-songwriter Arlissa as Sindah, Astrid Harris as Tonah, Glenn Adamson as Rooh and Jonathan Andrew Hume as Crohm, with additional casting still to be announced.

The concert follows several years of development, including workshops, readings, concerts and recordings. A concept album has also been released, attracting an international audience.

The creative team includes Gianluca Cucchiara (music and adaptation for The Other Palace), Andrew James Whelan (lyrics), Clive Frayne (book), Tony Cucchiara (original concept), Michael Conley (dramaturgy), Giovanna Romagnoli (adaptation for The Other Palace) and Eleesha Drennan (direction).