DON BLACK

"Always try and write for yourself. Don't copy and don't follow. You are unique. There's only one of you. Try and put your individual signature on each song."

Don Black CBE started out as a standup comedian and blames himself entirely for the death of Variety. He made his West End debut as a theatre lyricist with composer John Barry on the musical Billy, starring Michael Crawford at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.

Don Black received two Tony Awards for best book and lyrics of a Musical for his work (with Christopher Hampton) on Sunset Boulevard, which marked his third collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber. They first joined forces to write the song cycle Tell Me On A Sunday which was developed to form the basis of the stage show Song and Dance. They were reunited for Aspects of Love. He also wrote lyrics for the Andrew Lloyd Webber-produced Bombay Dreams.

Awards include an Oscar for his song “Born Free”, five Academy Award nominations, two Tony Awards and three Tony nominations, six Ivor Novello Awards, a Golden Globe and many platinum and gold discs.

He has written a quintet of James Bond theme songs: “Thunderball”, “Diamonds Are Forever”, “The Man With The Golden Gun”, “Surrender” from Tomorrow Never Dies and “The World Is Not Enough.”

Among his many popular songs are two U.S. number ones – “Ben” for Michael Jackson and “To Sir With Love” for Lulu.

He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008 and honoured, in London, with a BMI Icon Award in 2010.

Don also received the Order of the British Empire in the  Queen’s Honours list.

In 2020, he was awarded the Special Olivier Award for his outstanding services to theatre.

*** SOLD OUT SHOW RETURNS FOR 2026 ***

Following a sell-out run, Don Black CBE returns to the West End with the most ambitious incarnation of From The Heart yet – a celebration of new songs and much-loved favourites. Refined and expanded following its acclaimed concert performances in 2025, From The Heart will play a strictly limited run of 15 performances at London’s Garrick Theatre, 8-18 October 2026.

Starring Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe (Hadestown, Guys and Dolls), internationally celebrated star Caroline O’Connor (Chicago, Mack and Mabel), and West End and Broadway star and two time Olivier Award nominee Michael D. Xavier (Sunset Boulevard, Into The Woods). Further cast to be announced.

From The Heart is Don Black’s personal tribute to the New York cabaret scene that has inspired his remarkable career, and features brand new songs written with composers such as Gary Barlow, Natasha Bedingfield, David Arnold, Debbie Wiseman and Mike Batt.

At every show a surprise special guest will take to the stage before the evening culminates in a spectacular medley of some of Don Black’s most iconic songs, including classics Born Free, Ben, Love Changes Everything, With One Look, To Sir With Love, and As If We Never Said Goodbye, as well as a special salute to his long history with James Bond, from Diamonds are Forever, Thunderball, The Man With The Golden Gun, to The World is Not Enough.

With an extraordinary career spanning more than five decades, Don Black has produced some of the world’s best-loved songs for film, TV and theatre, from Aspects of Love and The Italian Job, to five James Bond themes. From The Heart brings together the songs, stories and collaborations that have defined his lyrical life in his most complete theatrical celebration to date.

Book Don Black’s From The Heart direct with Nimax Theatres via the Garrick Theatre Box Office for official tickets, no booking fees, and options for groups, schools and access customers.

Book here: Tickets from £35.00