Access all arias: Behind the scenes of the Royal Opera House
Inside a huge workshop at Highhouse Production Park a team of scenic painters, carpenters and metalworkers are hard at work for The Royal Opera House's next season.
Head Scenic Artist, Emma Troubridge - who creates a wide variety of sets and scenery for the ballets and operas performed in Covent Garden - gave the BBC an insider's guide to preparations under way for Nabucco and Eugene Onegin.
Public tours at the workshop in Purfleet also allow a close up view of the paint shop, the build area, and the carpentry workshop so visitors can learn about the skills behind theatre set construction and design.
Video journalist: Rachel Curtis