ODDSOCKS, who made a welcome return to the delightful surroundings of Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Tuesday evening, have largely made their name with their unique interpretations of Shakespeare plays.

These manic events, usually taking place outdoors, have led on to their annual winter tours which mostly have taken on an historical theme and, without actually saying the word, have many of the ingredients of pantomime.

Their regular army of supporters seem to have happily embraced these doses of winter fun, the latest of which is The Legend of King Arthur whose life and times were given the inimitable Oddsocks treatment.

The company's principals Andy Barrow, who directs the current tour, and Elli Mackenzie, who produced, wrote and stars in the work, always gather around them a small troupe of enthusiastic and talented performers.

And this year is no different as Mackenzie and her hugely gifted four-strong cast - Peter Hoggart, Lucy Varney, Dom Gee-Burch and Simon Spencer-Hyde - follow the tried and trusted Oddsocks formula, multiple roles, a good story, a cracking script, plenty of jokes, lots of visual humour and a few musical interludes.

The skilful use of the set - with scene changes carried out by the performers - is another Oddocks trademark, harking back to the days of their famous 'cart', which formed a centre-piece for their outdoor productions.

But most of all, it's the interaction between the performers and the audience which brings a lot of the success - the actors mingle and interact with the audience before the performance and during the interval, chatting and selling programmes so that you feel you know them a little even before they get up on the stage.

And during the mayhem, there is plenty to make those watching feel as though they are part of the experience - and the blend is such that young and old, as well as those in between, are guaranteed a great time, which they certainly had in Ludlow, judging by their reaction.

This countrywide tour continues until February and then's there's the double-header of Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing to look forward to next summer.

Can't wait!