Ethiopia was the first and most complex of the collaborations between de Cointet and Wilhite. The play premiered in Los Angeles in 1976 at the Municipal Art Gallery Theatre in Barnsdall Park. This theatrical work was inspired by both of their influences, historically rooted in Surrealism, De Stijl, and Futurism, and the original Ethiopia sets are in the collection of the MAMCO Museum in Geneva, Switzerland. The play consists of three acts, and three simple and dramatic sets, each filled with multiple abstract and colorful shapes and musical objects.

Ethiopia is an adventure where Julia, a young woman returns to her family house. Through perilous moments she reconnects with her cousins, Peter and Tom, and together they give a playful and surreal understanding of the objects inside their odd family house.

After 46 years, the original English version of Ethiopia will be staged again at Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery Theatre in Barnsdall and will be directed by Robert Wilhite and starring Carlotta Guerra, Allison Byrnes and Davitt Felder.