Starring Allison Cook, Rodney Earl Clarke, Mariam Wallentin, Matthew McKinney & Keith Pun
Du Yun’s Pulitzer Prize-winning contemporary opera Angel’s Bone is getting its London premiere this October 2026.
Award-winning director Kip Williams is making his UK opera debut with English National Opera, directing Angel’s Bone at ENO’s London Coliseum from 16 to 31 October 2026.
Ahead of London, and already announced, the opera will get its UK premiere at Factory International’s Aviva Studios in Manchester from 12 to 16 May 2026.
The Manchester production is in collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Kantos Chamber Choir. Overall, this is the first project in a series of new productions by English National Opera and Factory International.
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 current West End production of Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo.
“It is also a thrill to be staging this work across two incredible spaces – Aviva Studios and the London Coliseum – a challenge that has allowed my team and I to imagine this opera in radical and distinctive ways for each city, ways that we hope will both thrill and move audiences.” – Kip Williams, Director
Angel’s Bone 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.
See our listings of more Opera and Dance in London.
Angel’s Bone casting
Initial casting for Angel’s Bone has also been announced today, including:
- Mrs X.E. played by Scottish mezzo-soprano and singing actress Allison Cook (Duke Bluebeard’s Castle).
- Mr X.E. played by British baritone Rodney Earl Clarke.
- The role of Girl Angel performed by Swedish cross-genre musician and voice actress Mariam Wallentin (Wildbirds & Peacedrums), making her ENO debut.
- Scottish tenor Matthew McKinney performs the role of Boy Angel.
- Hong Kong countertenor Keith Pun will play the Male Soprano.
The Maids in New York
It was also announced this week that Kip Williams’ Donmar Warehouse production of Jean Genet’s The Maids is transferring to New York.
The Maids opened in London in October 2025 (read a round-up of reviews), and is transferring to St. Ann’s Warehouse’s in New York as part of their 2025-26 season, playing from 17 May to 14 June 2026.
London Coliseum, London
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