For many, the name Don Black may not be immediately familiar, yet it is threaded throughout British popular culture. There are songs we know so intimately but may forget that someone had to write the words. From Oscar-winning film themes to West End musical juggernauts and James Bond anthems, his lyrics have soundtracked generations. From The Heart is a show Black has always wanted to write, and has been working on for decades. But despite an impressive back catalogue, this isn’t a retrospective but rather a chance for one of Britain’s most celebrated lyricists to step into the spotlight and share both his music and the inspirations behind it.
Presented as a tribute to the New York cabaret scene that helped shape Black’s career, the evening blends storytelling and newly written material into an entertaining and often surprisingly moving 85-minute celebration. The title song, which opens and closes the show, reminds us that a three-minute song can tell more of a story than an entire novel or television programme, and the songs in From The Heart show that to be true.
The newly commissioned numbers, written alongside an impressive roster of collaborators, are perhaps the evening’s biggest surprise. Alternating between heartfelt ballads and sharply observed comedic songs, they explore themes of love, loss, ambition and resilience. Some land with immediate emotional force, while others delight through wit and characterful storytelling. Black’s gift for concise, elegant lyric writing remains unmistakable.
Particular highlights include ‘Fizzy or Still’, in which two men lament giving up alcohol in favour of water, while ‘The Reluctant Star’ tells the story of a megastar who dreams of being a waitress. More heartfelt numbers include ‘Guessing Alone’ and ‘When No-One is Looking’.
Director Nick Winston keeps the evening moving at a brisk pace, wisely avoiding the temptation to overcomplicate what is essentially a celebration of song. A short voiceover from Black himself introduces each number and gives some context to its origins. The production embraces the intimacy of cabaret while still feeling suitably theatrical. A duo of musicians occupy a central rostrum, surrounded by the five-strong cast, while the Garrick stage remains otherwise almost entirely bare.
The cast prove exceptional ambassadors for Black’s work. Frances Mayli McCann brings warmth and emotional clarity to the more reflective material, delivering several of the evening’s most affecting moments. Shona McGarty demonstrates a natural ease on stage, throwing herself into the lighter numbers with confidence while also revealing a strong emotional connection to the ballads.
Caroline O’Connor commands attention whenever she appears, combining impeccable comic timing with effortless vocal authority. Clive Rowe contributes his trademark charisma and generosity, filling the auditorium with both humour and heart, while Michael D. Xavier’s rich vocals give several songs a welcome sense of grandeur. Together, the company create the feeling of an intimate gathering between friends united by admiration for Black’s work.
Each performance features a surprise guest star, and at this performance we were treated to Michael Ball performing ‘Love Changes Everything’. Before singing, Ball thanked Black for giving him the gift of the song, and it served as a reminder that Black’s lyrics have quietly become part of the soundtrack to millions of lives.
If the original songs remind us that Black remains an active and vital creative force, the finale showcases the astonishing legacy already behind him. The closing ‘megamix’, featuring highlights from his film, television and musical theatre catalogue, sends the audience out on a wave of recognition and affection. From The Heart succeeds in exactly what its title promises: a joyous evening created with evident passion by a lyricist whose words continue to resonate across generations.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
