Garrick Theatre (studio)
08 October 2026 (released)
1 h
The route to London’s Garrick Theatre for From The Heart has been three decades in the making. What began thirty years ago as a modest concept rooted in Don Black’s affection for intimate Manhattan cabaret spaces has steadily expanded over the years. Following a series of well-received concert performances in 2025, the show has been refined and broadened into its most complete theatrical incarnation yet. Directed by Nick Winston, this new staging brings a 15-performance showcase to the West End, combining fresh collaborations with an extensive back catalogue of world-famous lyrics.
Audiences attending the 80-minute, no-interval performance can expect a structured revue propelled by recorded voiceover narration from Black himself. The production weaves through key milestones of his five-decade career, blending newly penned material alongside classic hits. His recent songwriting partnerships feature compositions written alongside Gary Barlow, David Arnold, Natasha Bedingfield, Debbie Wiseman, and Mike Batt.
On stage, musical director Joe Church and arranger Nick Barstow manage a five-strong core ensemble: Frances Mayli McCann, Shona McGarty, Caroline O’Connor, Clive Rowe, and Michael D. Xavier. The vocal performances cover a wide stylistic range, shifting from big-band brassiness to quiet theatrical storytelling. Every performance also incorporates an unannounced guest appearance; on opening night, Michael Ball took to the stage to deliver a splendid version of his breakthrough song "Love Changes Everything," thanking Don Black for the song.
The show's final stretch moves into a fast-paced medley of Black’s most recognizable commercial triumphs. The sequence highlights his cinematic contributions, including a dedicated suite of James Bond themes—ranging from Thunderball and Diamonds Are Forever to The World Is Not Enough—alongside pop standards such as "Ben", "Born Free", and "To Sir With Love", plus musical theatre staples "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye".
Critical response to the opening night highlighted the slick pacing of the revue and the vocal discipline of the core ensemble, noting how effectively the arrangements condense a vast catalogue into an accessible 80-minute runtime. The recorded narration provides a swift backbone, but the production truly leans on the instant recognition of its classic numbers to power through its 80 minutes.
The evening closed with Black joining the cast on stage receiving a standing ovation from the audience. The production runs at the Garrick Theatre through Sunday 18th October 2026.
Photo credit: Eamonn B Shanahan
