Four top QCs and journalist Jeremy Paxman are to take part in a mock trial of Shakespeare's iconic character Macbeth for charity Shakespeare Schools Festival next month.

John Kelsey-Fry QC, Jonathan Laidlaw QC, Dinah Rose QC and Ian Winter QC will all take part in the trial where Macbeth and key witnesses will be cross examined over the murder of King Duncan.

The QCs will star alongside Shakespearean actors David Oakes and Hayden Gwynn and a twelve-strong jury headed by journalist Jeremy Paxman.

Bafta award-winning screenwriter Jonathan Myerson wrote the witness statements and worked on plot development. The show will take place at the Noel Coward Theatre in London on 8 March.

Laidlaw, who acted for Rebekah Brooks in the phone hacking trial, said: "The novelty of the idea, mixing barristers with actors, is good and it should be a big fundraiser."

Laidlaw is being sponsored by Linklaters for an undisclosed sum. Ashurst is sponsoring the event, also for an undisclosed sum.

The charity, patrons of which include Kevin Spacey, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Tom Stoppard, began in 2000 with eight state schools in Pembrokeshire. It is now working with 1,250 schools – a mix of primary, secondary and special educational needs schools – across the UK.

Five children from Harris Academy in Greenwich and five from Chestnuts Primary School will also take part in the trial.

The charity hopes the event will raise