ON stage and behind the scenes, the Shakespeare plays at the Ludlow Festival rely on unsung helpers.

Anyone watching "The Merchant of Venice" will have spotted Katie Pearce, Claire Northwood and Dan Smith bringing in tall chairs and other props as well as serving food and standing watchfully at the back.

In "The Winter's Tale" they take part in the moving rendition of "In the bleak midwinter" which opens the play. They also appear as members of the court of the jealous King Leontes of Sicilia and as Bohemian peasants in the summer sheep shearing celebrations at the start of the second half.

Ten year old Daniel Cooper alternates with Thomas Lyden as Mamilius, the unfortunate son of Leontes.

"They've been fantastic," said stage manager Charlie Geeves. "They have become part of the company. Without them we would be incredibly lost."

No theatre company can be without its army of dressers. Sheila Kirk, head of wardrobe, and her team of 12 have been busy through four weeks of technical rehearsals and the Festival itself making sure the actors have the right costumes at the right time.

Probably the trickiest is helping Russell Gomer, who plays Leontes, change into a military uniform for the trial scene the moment he has come off the stage in dinner jacket. That needs two dressers to remove his previous costume and two more to dress him up as a 1930s-style dictator in 30 seconds.