Kip Williams to direct UK premiere of Angel’s Bone opera in Manchester

Award-winning director Kip Williams is making his UK opera debut this year, directing Angel’s Bone at Aviva Studios in Manchester.

The project is the first in a series of new productions by English National Opera and Factory International.

Quick Take: Kip Williams is one of the hottest directors on the planet following his Olivier and Tony Award-winning production of The Picture of Dorian Gray with Sarah Snook. His recent production of The Maids at the Donmar Warehouse further consolidated his position as a visionary director, and there is huge anticipation for his new West End show Dracula with Cynthia Erivo. That means that ENO and Factory International getting Williams for his first UK opera is a coup for both organisations.

The UK premiere of Du Yun’s Pulitzer Prize-winning contemporary opera Angel’s Bone is in collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Kantos Chamber Choir.

The opera has a libretto by Royce Vavrek, and is a powerful, dark fable that delves deep into the harrowing realities of modern-day slavery and human trafficking.

Kip Williams will once again join forces with his long-time designer Marg Horwell, whom he worked with on The Picture of Dorian Gray starring Sarah Snook, and the forthcoming West End production of Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo.

Angel’s Bone is running from 12 to 16 May 2026.

“I am thrilled to be directing Angel’s Bone for English National Opera and to premiere this work at the remarkable Aviva Studios with Factory International. Du Yun and Royce Vavrek have created a visionary and urgent piece, and it’s an honour to stage this boundary-pushing opera for British audiences for the first time.” – KIP WILLIAMS

Factory International’s new 2026 season also includes a major new exhibition by Ai Weiwei, a new dance work inspired by the life and music of Sinéad O’Connor, a performance piece by Sue Buckmaster Artistic Director of Theatre-Rites and award-winning choreographer Gregory Maqoma.

Factory International is the organisation behind Manchester International Festival (MIF) and the city’s landmark cultural space Aviva Studios.