SWINDON is making a song and dance about the steamy Spanish opera Carmen.

Two students, Shekinah Hiscox and Charlotte Bayston, performed a flamenco-style dance yesterday as a prelude to the screening of the famous Bizet opera as part of the BP Summer Big Screens.

The girls are studying English and psychology at New College.

On Tuesday, June 8, the Royal Opera House performs Carmen – the story of sex, crime and murder in Seville – and it will be beamed live from Covent Garden to Swindon’s Big Screen at Wharf Green.

It is one of 27 free screenings of ballet and opera around the UK and stars Christine Rice and Bryan Hymel.

Tony Hall, chief executive of the Royal Opera House, said: “The fact that we’re able to relay live opera and ballet performances from Covent Garden to these big screens across the country is really exciting. This gives friends and family a great opportunity to get together outdoors and experience world class performances.’’ Prior to the screening in Swindon there will be a sing-a-long to The Toreador song from the opera at 6.45pm, the same time as Gareth Malone from the BBC programme The Choir leads the singing in Trafalgar Square.

Fourteen other locations across the UK will also burst into song, making the Carmen ‘sing-a-long’ one of the biggest ever. The words for the Toreador Song can be downloaded from www.roh.org.uk/bpbigscreens.

People can record their town’s version of The Toreador Song on iPhone or Android by downloading the free AudioBoo app, tag the recording ‘Carmen singalong’ and post it on http//audioboo.fm.

Entry to view the opera is free although it is advisable to register for places at www.bigscreenswindon.co.uk.

Picnics can be brought along although there will be food stalls. To register visit: www.bigscreenswindon.co.uk