Angel’s Bone designer Marg Horwell visits the University of Salford and Aviva Studios

She discussed her wide-ranging experience designing for the stage, as well as her involvement in the forthcoming UK premiere of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek’s Pulitzer-prize winning opera.

ENO is currently working in creative partnership with the University of Salford, through which second-year Costume Design students spend part of their placement module working with ENO’s Props and Costume teams to create feathers for the angel wings – the iconic image of the opera.

Marg also visited Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, where she spoke to students from Factory Academy. Factory Academy was launched in 2018 by Factory International to provide free, industry-led courses for people seeking careers in the creative sector.  ENO is working closely with Factory Academy to create training experiences in opera production (particularly technical and backstage roles) for people living in Greater Manchester, with the aim of creating new routes into the sector for those from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the arts. Six students from the cohort will be offered paid work experience placements in lighting, sound and stage management for ENO’s production of Angel’s Bone at Aviva Studios.

Tony and Olivier Award-winning designer Marg Horwell is known for her long-term artistic collaboration with theatre and opera director Kip Williams. Their recent work includes the current production of Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo at the Noel Coward Theatre, The Maids at Donmar Warehouse, and The Picture of Dorian Gray in the West End and on Broadway, starring Sarah Snook.

ENO presents the UK premiere of Angel’s Bone at Aviva Studios in Manchester from 12-16 May, in collaboration with Factory International and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. The production will be at the London Coliseum on 16-31 October with the Orchestra of ENO. Kantos Chamber Choir performs as the guest choir for both runs.