THIS weekend sees a concert to launch a year of events marking the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. The London Mozart Players (LMP) orchestra stages the first of a series of concerts this Saturday at Fairfield Halls, just ahead of the maestro's birthday. Mozart was born on January 27, 1756.

The concert features the award-winning stage and screen star Alex Jennings (pictured). He has played many roles for the Royal Shakespeare Company and portrayed Alastair Campbell in the TV satire A Very Social Secretary.

The actor accompanies the orchestra for the rarely-performed Thamos, King of Egypt.

The work is similar to an opera but includes spoken narration, performed by Jennings.

The evening marks the beginning, middle and end of Mozart's career. It opens with Symphony No. 25, which he wrote at the age of 16 and ends with the famous Clarinet Concerto, performed by the international soloist Michael Collins.

Mozart wrote the concerto just months before his death in 1791.

LMP managing director Antony Lewis-Crosby said: "Birthdays are always special events and the 250th anniversary of the most famous composer of all time is certainly worthy of celebration."

"We invite everybody to come and share in the celebrations and to enjoy the music of one of the world's greatest geniuses."

LMP concert, January 21, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, 7.30pm, tickets £9.50 - £27, concessions available, 020 8688 9291.