To be in the show or not to be in the show? That was the question which faced two composers when they discovered the score for their stage musical of Hamlet was over-running.

In the end Shakespeare 4 Kidz writers Julian Chenery and Matt Gimblett had no alternative but to axe To Be A Man because it made the show too long for its young target audience.

Now the ballad is enjoying a kiss-of-life revival. Not only will it be included in the score of a new 3D movie of the Bard’s greatest tragedy, to be directed by John Godber, but it will take centre stage at a glitzy charity gig.

The number may have ended up on the proverbial cutting room floor. But luckily that wasn’t the final resting place for the song.

Chenery and Gimblett entered it for the Stephen Sondheim/Stiles & Drewe song competition (to recognise the best student performer and the best song in a new British musical) which took place this summer at London’s Playhouse where it was sung by RADA student Michael Peavoy.

Judges and audience alike loved it: and the song was announced as runner-up.

Now the song will feature during a charity event called Snappy Title on September 20 to launch a new website (New Musicals Network).

The evening is to raise money for Mercury Musical Developments and the Actors’ Benevolent Fund and will include a number of songs from new musicals performed by cast members from West End shows.

Organiser Peter Auker saw Michael Peavoy perform To Be A Man at the Sondheim Society competition, and was greatly impressed.

He invited Michael to sing the song again at Snappy Title and Julian Chenery was delighted to give consent for To Be A Man to be part of the event.

He said: “When Michael sang To Be A Man at the Playhouse he absolutely brought the house down. I can’t wait to hear him perform it again – and for such a brilliant cause. Of course I will be there to cheer him on.

Tickets for the event at the Pigalle Club in London's West End on Sunday 20th September at 7.45pm can be purchased from See Tickets