Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has revealed that he is to take part in a London concert celebrating the 80th birthday of composer Stephen Sondheim.

The 28-year-old, who plays Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap, will join forces with a number of West End stars at the one-off event at the King's Head Theatre on March 22.

American-born Sondheim has received an Academy Award, Pulitzer Prize and a number of Tony Awards for his long career of composing music for stage and film.

The King's Head Theatre celebration is the only one of its kind to take place in the UK on Sondheim's birthday and all profits from the event will be donated to the TheatreMAD Trust, which supports people living with HIV and AIDS.

Speaking of his involvement, McCarthy commented: "I feel very privileged to have been asked to perform at the gala celebration in London to honour Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday.

"As the most iconic figure in American musical theatre history, and arguably the best, Mr Sondheim has given the theatre world some of the greatest material ever written and I can't wait to take to the stage in what will be, quite literally, a night to remember."

McCarthy has also recently been linked to the forthcoming West End run of Flashdance - The Musical, which is being choreographed by dance guru Arlene Phillips.


DS