Martin McCutcheon is announced as very special guest for the upcoming concert series celebrating the life and work of legendary British lyricist Don Black, marking her return to the world of entertainment. The UK tour follows last Autumn’s Royal Festival Hall Show which was broadcast as a BBC4 special at Christmas.
McCutcheon, one of our best-loved performers, has enjoyed a career spanning two decades.
From her landmark roles on both the big (Love Actually) and small screens (EastEnders), she has also had international success as a recording artist (No.1 in 5 countries with debut single Perfect Moment) as well as winning a Laurence Oliver Award for her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady in London’s West End.
Says Martine McCutcheon – “I am so thrilled to be working with Don. I have always loved singing his songs and for the man himself to ask me to perform them is such an honour.”
Says Don Black – “What a great singer, what a great performer. I’m thrilled to have Martine on board”.
McCutcheon will join actor and singer Gary Wilmot (Oliver!, The Wizard Of Oz, Chicago) who will also be taking to the stage, where they will bring their unique interpretations to some of Black’s most famous and iconic songs, marking his 50th anniversary in the business to the backdrop of an orchestra, whilst also taking a narrative role telling the story of one of our greatest ever lyricists. Olivier Award winning actress Maria Friedman will also perform as well as act as the show’s creative director.
In a career that has won him many glittering prizes (an Oscar for his song Born Free, five Academy Award nominations, four Broadway Tony Nominations and two Tony awards, a Golden Globe, six Ivor Novello Awards and many platinum, gold and silver discs) he has worked with some of the world's leading composers - Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jule Styne, Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, Elmer Bernstein, Michel Legrand, Marvin Hamlisch, Charles Aznavour, A.R. Rahman, Ennio Morricone.
In 2007 Black was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.
Martine McCutcheon is currently working on an album due for release this year and also will be launching a regular entertainment strand on ITV’s This Morning.
March:
25th Wycombe Swan
28th Malvern Theatre
29th Cardiff St Davids Hall
31st Bournemouth Pavillion
April:
2nd Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
3rd Birmingham Symphony Hall
4th Leeds Town Hall
6th Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
8th Manchester Opera House
Ticket prices are £36.50, £29.50 and £24.50.
Don Black – Some of the songs, films and musicals
Born Free
The Italian Job
Diamonds Are Forever
To Sir With Love,
Ben
True Grit
Sunset Boulevard
Thunderball
Dances With Wolves
Aspect of Love
The Man With The Golden Gun
Tell Me On A Sunday
Bombay Dreams
The World Is Not Enough
Downton Abbey
Tomorrow Never Dies
Dances With Wolves
Pink Panther Strikes Again
Out of Africa
As If We Never Said Goodbye
With One Look
Love Changes Everything
Take That Look Off Your Face
Walk Away
If I Never Sing Another Song
