Colin Firth is bringing Britain's "extraordinary" history to life on stage.

The 'King's Speech' actor is to narrate a stage performance and documentary called 'The People Speak' - featuring a number of stars, including Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Ian McKellen and Joss Stone - which will show through readings and music, times when ordinary British citizens spoke out for change.

Speaking about the project, Colin - who will co-direct - explained that one of the reasons he is participating is because he hated history when he was at school and he wants to make people aware of some of the lesser known pivotal moments of his country's past.

He said: "To me 'The People Speak' is the perfect response to the abject misery of my history class as a school boy. Considering the immense riches that history offers us in terms of the best and worst of human behaviour - corruption, sexual deviation, rebellion, struggles for power - none of that made it into my history lessons. There is absolutely no reason why history should be dry."

The British production was inspired by the 2009 American version which featured a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Springsteen, and Viggo Mortensen.

The live performance will take place on Sunday 19 September 2010 at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London's West End.