Backstage at the Royal Albert Hall's Carmen – in pictures

Noah Stewart, who takes the role of Don José, and Kevin Greenlaw, who plays Escamillo, in their dressing room at the Royal Albert Hall, London Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Backstage preparation for Carmen Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Members of the chorus apply makeup Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Props line one of the backstage corridors Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Hair and makeup – emphasis on the hair Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Double bass cases show the scars of travel Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

A lighthearted atmosphere at the makeup table Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Don't sneeze: a makeup artist puts the finishing touches on a cast member Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

So that's what they do during the interval: members of the chorus play cards Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Noah Stewart (Don Jose) and Rachael Lloyd (Carmen) Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Cristina Nassif as Carmen Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

A scene from the production Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Nassif holds back an upset Stewart Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

A circus-like sense of spectacle reigns Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Celebrations fill the stage Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Stewart with Rachael Lloyd as Carmen, with the chorus in the foreground Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Matadors and music: a scene from Carmen Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Toreador in training Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

A scene from Carmen Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Applause for the cast at curtain call Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian