The
Exterminating
Angel
Speculative design
Libretto Tom Cairns & Thomas Adès
Set to music Thomas Adès
Director Stewart Laing
Designer Yimei Zhao
Venue London Coliseum
‘The Exterminating Angel’ is based on the 1962 film by Luis Buñuel. The main element throughout the opera is a threshold that people cannot pass through. My interpretation of this opera is to create an abstract and absurd world. This group of wealthy individuals are trapped in this house, revealing their true selves as to how rabid animals are trapped in a cage. With the three dead bodies being discovered, the space is gradually filled with blood and madness, as well as the servants, police, and crowd that has been observing them from the beginning. All parties are trapped on the stage at the very end.
The GUESTS’ costumes are inspired by wildlife animals’ patterns and colors. Costume change will happen after the interval as they will become more dirty, messy, primitive and animal-like. Parts of their costumes will be splattered wiith blood at the very end while the dead bodies are discovered in the cabinet.