UNDER the bright lights of the Barbican auditorium, two former world champions are squaring up against each other on the green baize.

It's a tussle between two of the giants of snooker - Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry - and whoever wins will be a step closer to taking on Steve Davis or Graeme Dott in the semi-finals of the Maplin UK Championships tomorrow.

But, away from the intensity of the game and the silent gaze of the audience, a world of behind-the-scenes activity keeps it all ticking over.

In the plush, airy players' lounge, managers, friends and family might be enjoying a beer and watching the game on swanky widescreen TVs, while Steve Davis demonstrates a trick shot to camera in the on-site BBC studio.

A few players might be putting in an hour or so on the practice tables. You might even find a few stars playing on a Scalectrix set or chewing a sandwich on the couch.

A little less relaxed, perhaps, are the organisers and press officers striding around in suits, talking into their radios and nipping in and out of the game for the odd catch-up.

A lot of hard work goes into the championships, press officer Ivan Hirschowitz tells me, walking through the corridor that leads from the lounge to the arena.

For weeks before hand, players practice five or six hours a day, perfecting their techniques and weighing up their rivals.

Throughout the tournament, organisers can be on their toes for 16 hours a day, often finishing at 1am.

As I admire the luxury of the players' lounge, current world champ Graeme Dott wanders in with a bottle of Fanta. Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry play quietly on the practice tables, while last year's winner, Ding Junhui, is ushered in through a back door.

Before the game, the auditorium is the epitome of calm. Cameras sit silently by the sleek, top-of-the-range, snooker tables and rows of empty seats wait for the excited audience to pour in.

Each player has his own routine to prepare for the game says tournament director Mike Ganley.

Some sit in their dressing room, while others share a joke with their mates.

Some have a wander around and try to focus themselves, while others hang out in the players' lounge.

"I don't think they're really aware of what's going on around them," said Mike. "They're completely different characters and they have different philosophies and different ways to prepare themselves."

It's amazing to watch them practice, says Ivan. Each player can clear a table in one, quite easily. What makes the real thing so different is the pressure of being watched - and filmed.

So, sell it to me, Ivan, I say, studying the line-up on a poster on the wall. What could convince a journalist so clueless about snooker she thought Stephen Hendry was called Stephen Hendrix (much to the amusement of her colleagues) to watch snooker?

What is it that makes snooker the second most televised sport, pulling in a peak viewing figure of 1.9 million for this tournament?

"It's a type of psychological warfare," he explains, eyes burning with passion. "It's about being able to deal with the pressure of being out there and watched by millions of people and it's watching how the guys deal with the pressure and there's a lot of psychology between the two players and the ones that are best at that are the top players."

Tournament director

WHEN you're watching the snooker with a beer in hand, spare a thought for tournament director Mike Ganley.

Any problems with the championships land on his head, along with requests from the players and sorting out schedules for forthcoming events.

"The buck stops with me and if there are problems with the players or the table or around the venue, then it comes back to me," he said.

"If there is some matter of discipline with the rules and regulations that wasn't resolved by the referees, then that comes to me too."

The players are very down-to- earth, he says, and there is a friendly, family atmosphere behind the scenes.

Around the table though, it's very competitive.

"Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams are best mates off the table but Hendry was on TV saying he doesn't care who it is in the other chair, he wants to beat everybody," he said. "That's the way it is."

It can be tough tracking players down and getting them to the table on time, he says, and they all have little requests and things they want him to sort out.

The most unusual call on his time was made by Jimmy White three years ago.

Jimmy's trousers went missing two minutes before the game and Mike stepped in to supply his own.

"They were a little short on him but they fitted in with the dress code," he laughs.

There are unpleasant tasks too, like deducting players a frame. That happened earlier this week, with Ali Carter, who was late after an interval.

Drive, ambition and discipline are the traits of a snooker champion, he says.

"The players are so driven and it hurts when they lose," he said.

"Some people think oh well, I did my best', but for the best players, it really really hurts."

Press officer

FOR former journalist Ivan Hirschowitz being press officer for the UK Snooker Championships is a dream come true.

He left his job at the Walthamstow Guardian to live out his childhood passion for snooker and now spends three months a year on the road. As well as writing press releases, updating the website and looking after journalists, it's Ivan's job to liaise between players and the media.

"It can be really hard if a player's just lost a really close match and he's really gutted and doesn't want to speak to anybody to say will you come in and speak to 15 journalists or do a TV interview?'" he said.

"That's when personal experience of knowing the players really helps because you get to know which one will want to sit in his dressing room for five minutes first and which one will want to get it over with."

Steve Davis is excellent with the media, he says, as are Ken Doherty and John Higgins. Ronnie O'Sullivan makes great copy if he's in a good mood, he says, as he will always say things nobody else will.

Press officers need thick skin, he believes, and a willingness to work hard - he sometimes puts in 15 hours a day. It's worth it though, he says.

"When it gets to the final and the TV cameras are there and the trophies are given out and the cameras are clicking, I feel very fortunate to be there."

Referee

FEW snooker buffs are more knowledgeable than referee Johan Oomen. As one of UK Snooker's most senior referees, he is the man players turn to in rare moments of controversy on the table.

It's not too hard these days, he admits, as they have DVD-playback. The players' attitude towards referees makes their job easier too, he says.

"It's completely different to football because the players treat us with a lot of respect and vice versa," he said. "It's a gentleman's game. They can be difficult if you've made the wrong decision in their mind, but that's only happened once. Sometimes snooker is really difficult and you have to make a decision in a split-second and stick to it."

Johan began playing snooker over 20 years ago and soon started studying the rules and regulations.

Talent can only save the day for a few people, he says. The rest of it is the dedication to practice five or six hours a day.

His is the best job in the world, he believes, but he wouldn't know where to put his money this year.

"We've got the best line-up in a couple of years," he said. "I think Graeme Dott is playing awesome and John Higgins, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry are all playing well. I can't predict."

Commentator

AS A former UK Championship winner, John Virgo, is well qualified as a commentator.

"I won this tournament too long ago to remember," he says, just before the 2pm game.

In 1979, John beat Terry Griffiths to take the title.

"I beat Steve Davis in the quarter-finals and he's still playing today so it just shows you," he muses.

John takes to the commentary box about five minutes before the players walk out.

He reads through his notes before he starts, and could then broadcast live all afternoon.

He thinks commentary has gradually changed.

"Years ago they used to say let the pictures tell the story and don't speak too much. Now they say commentators talk a little bit too much.

"Just as long as you don't put your foot in it too often, I think you develop your own individuality over the years."

When he first started commentating, he had a whispering tone to his voice, he says.

"I remember the director coming on in my ear and saying we've already got one Ted Lowe," he said.

Over 20 years on, and he's one of the best-known commentators around.

He offends people all the time, he admits, but players don't take him to task about it.

People are playing very well this tournament, he says, but he's particularly impressed with Ding Junhui.

"I like the way he conducts himself," he said. "You have to have a very solid temperament."