When the Ellen Kent's production of Bizet's Carmen comes to the New Theatre, mezzo-soprano Heather Shipp, who plays the title role, says we will get what we expect and what we don't expect - and just a little bit more.

Heather has performed this role several times, including an extensive tour with the English Touring Opera company, which took her overseas for some of the time. She loves the part - it's her favourite, as it asks so much of a singer. She loves the mood swings, the feisty nature of Carmen and the fact that it's a role that calls on her dancing talent as well as her voice.

She says that when you know and love a role, it's easy to give it your all, which is exactly what she does.

"Over the years I have learned to pace it and make every word count. Pacing yourself in a role such as this is important, especially during acts one and two when I sing song after song after song. Act two is the one that's particularly demanding, as it calls for so many mood changes, which is why every moment that offers a chance to rest has to be taken."

The dancing she finds easy, but she says all those singing this role have to make sure that they don't get carried away when it comes to dance scenes. "They are such fun but I have to keep it firmly fixed in my mind that I have to sing as well as dance and must not get so involved with the dancing that I get out of breath." Familiarity with the role means Heather has mastered several techniques that cope with problems such as that.

Heather appeared at the Oxford Piayhouse last year in The Opera Group's production of Judith Weir's Blond Eckbert, a modern classic which gives the animals a voice. This is the first time that she has appeared in an Ellen Kent production.

Having heard so much about Ellen and the remarkable shows she has staged over the years, she is absolutely delighted to be joining this energetic company, Carmen will be staged at the New Theatre on Friday, December 7, and Saturday, December 8, at 7.30pm. Tickets can be booked on 0870 606 3500, or on line at newtheatreoxford.org.uk