NEWS
15.03.26 - Wicked Japan Star Miisha Shimizu Releases New Musical Single “The Dance”
International recording artist Miisha Shimizu - known as the Japanese voice of Glinda in the Japanese film adaptation of Wicked - will release a new single, “The Dance,” from the upcoming concept album of the original musical AYLA. The song will be released on 3 April 2026 across all major streaming platforms. It is the fourth single from the project, building anticipation ahead of the full AYLA concept album, which will be released on 5 June 2026.
The AYLA concept album brings together an impressive international cast including West End performers Nathania Ong (Les Misérables, Hamilton), Djavan van de Fliert (Frozen, Les Misérables), Lauren Drew (Six, Titanique), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Heathers, The Lion King), Jordan Shaw (Hadestown, Les Misérables), and Jonathan Andrew Hume (Hamilton, Come From Away), alongside international recording artist and songwriter Arlissa.
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2026 · Singles Rollout & Concept Album Release
The music of Ayla is released to the world.
Across 2026, songs from Ayla are unveiled as a series of monthly single releases, each introducing a key character and emotional moment from the story.
The rollout begins with How Do I Open His Eyes (12 December 2025), followed by Prayer to the Moon (2 February 2026), Burn With Me (6 March 2026), The Dance (3 April 2026) and The Brightest Flame (2 May 2026). Performed by the album’s principal cast and recorded at Rogue Studios, these releases build toward the full album launch.
The concept album will be released on 5 June 2026, marking a major milestone in the journey toward the stage.
2024–2025 · Album Production & Recording
Ayla takes its definitive musical form.
Between 2024 and 2025, Ayla entered full-scale production and recording of its official concept album at Rogue Studios in London.
The album features a leading cast of West End performers, with Nathania Ong as Ayla, Djavan van der Fliert as Mohr, Lauren Drew as Tonah, Arlissa as Sindah, and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Rooh.
The cast is completed by Jordan Shaw (Caladar), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Chrom), Ruth Arnold (The Orozanh), Alessio Garavello (Tahl), Tom Kiteley (Lordu), and Mykey Kew (Pana Warrior).
This recording phase shaped Ayla’s sound, character voices, and musical language in its most complete and cinematic form to date.
​​​2023 · London
​​Ayla returns to London in a partially staged concert.
In 2023, Ayla was presented as a staged concert at the Lilian Baylis Studio, marking a significant step toward its theatrical form.
The performance featured Sam Tutty, Arlissa and Sha Dessi, alongside dancers Jemima Brown and Ru Fisher.
Backed by a six-piece live band, the concert was produced by Giovanna Romagnoli and Gianluca Cucchiara, and directed and choreographed by Eleesha Drennan, defining the musical identity and physical language of Ayla.
2019 · Washington D.C.
Ayla reaches the concert stage.In 2019, Ayla was presented in concert on the opening night of the new season at Strathmore Hall in Washington D.C.Performed with a full 100-piece orchestra conducted by Simeone Tartaglione, the concert marked a major milestone in the project’s evolution.The role of Ayla was performed by the phenomenal Olivia Henken, supported by a powerful 20-member choir, bringing the scale, emotion, and musical ambition of Ayla vividly to life for the first time.
2018 · Ayla begins its journey.
In May 2018, Ayla was presented for the very first time in a London workshop, marking the starting point of the project’s creative life. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and Eleesha Drennan, with choreography by Eleesha Drennan, the workshop brought together an exceptional cast including Eva Noblezada, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Jonathan Andrew Hume, Jordan Shawand Daniel Boys.This early exploration laid the foundations of Ayla’s world, themes, and musical language, the first step of a journey that continues to evolve today.
