​
The
Exterminating
Angel
Speculative Opera Project
​Written by Luis Bunuel and Luis Alcoriza
Libretto by Tom Cairns
Director: Stewart Laing
Designer: Jiayi Ding
Location: ENO Coliseum
A group of guests arrives after an opera performance to celebrate, but they soon realize that none of them can leave the space. Trapped in a mysterious cycle, they are only released after unconsciously repeating their behavior—entering the next stage of reincarnation.
My design concept envisions a utopian space that gradually deteriorates into an isolated, surreal world—mirroring the psychological descent of the guests as they come to realize they cannot escape the house.
Segmented set elements and a mix of material qualities were used to emphasize fragmentation and distortion. These choices reflect the opera’s dreamlike undertones and the characters’ unraveling perception of reality.
Concept Art Collage
Set Design
ACT 1
The Guests are arriving for dinner. MENI and CAMILA; hiding from the guest
ACT 2
Everyone waits, torn between the danger JULIO is in and their hunger for breakfast.
ACT 3
Policemen wander around, guarding the house.
ACT 3
Leonora was in her hallucination.
ACT 1
ACT 3
From Act I to Act III, the set gradually becomes more fragmented, with reflective elements added to the stage—mirroring a distorted, surreal environment. As the performance unfolds, and the guests grow increasingly desperate to leave, the boundaries between illusion and reality begin to dissolve, leaving the space suspended in ambiguity.
Costume Design
I created a storyboard based on a musical analysis of the opera, capturing its atmosphere and emotional arc. This visual narrative served as a foundation for developing the costume design. Inspired by the surreal and fragmented set, I used patterns, shapes, and colors to express each character’s symbolism. Geometric details define their visual identity within the blurred boundaries of the narrative. Head accessories play a key role—not only reflecting social class and personality, but also symbolizing distorted perception.
Music Anlysis
