Martine 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.

“I am so thrilled to be working with Don." said Martine, " I have always loved singing his songs and for the man himself to ask me to perform them is such an honour.”

“What a great singer, what a great performer."said Don of Martine, " 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.

As one of Britain’s most successful and versatile lyricists, he has written songs like ‘Born Free’, ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ and musical’s like ‘Sunset Boulevard’, ‘Billy’ ‘Aspects Of Love’ and ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’, Don Black, the man with the golden pen has helped define popular culture. He has written many of the greatest and most instantly recognizable songs of the last 50 years (including many James Bond themes) and his worldwide success has taken him from his roots in Hackney all the way to Hollywood.

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.

Catch From Hackney to Hollywood: The Don Black Songbook coming to St David’s Hall on Saturday March 29. Call 029 2087 8599 or visit stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk for tickets