The Johnny Cash Musical: The Ballad of Johnny and June, UK Tour (2026) Review
Written by Kia for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
The Ballad of Johnny & June is a jukebox musical focused on country music royalty Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter, of the infamous Carter family. What makes this show stand out is that it’s narrated by their son, John Carter Cash. We meet Johnny and June in their childhoods and follow their journey through to their meeting, their relationship forming, and their lives together. It really tells the whole story: the good, such as the birth of their son; the bad, including Johnny’s adultery during his first marriage; and the ugly, like his stay at the Betty Ford Centre.
The thing I usually hate about jukebox musicals is how they try to force a story to fit the songs. The big difference here is that it’s a biopic told through the perspective of their son. Because the story was created with the support of the Cash family, it feels incredibly authentic. While both Johnny and June had other children, John was their only child together, and seeing the show through his eyes adds a layer of honesty you don't always get.
I absolutely loved the staging for the show; although minimal, it worked perfectly to create an intimate atmosphere, allowing the story to move through the years without losing its authenticity. The ensemble were incredibly strong throughout, and I loved how the performers took on multiple parts. It felt like a particularly demanding role for an ensemble, as they remain on stage for the vast majority of the show, making it no mean feat and they were all so talented. The performance I saw actually marked the debut of Mia Jae. Being from South Wales herself, it was really exciting to witness her debut in the show as she took on the role of June’s sister, Anita among other roles, with such confidence.
The show was sure to include the great lineup of songs you’d expect, including Ring of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues, A Boy Named Sue, and I Walk the Line. Starring American theatre stars Christopher Ryan Grant and Christina Bianco as Johnny and June, the talent was amazing. Christina Bianco’s June Carter was warm and energetic, and what a voice! Christopher was a fabulous lead with real emotional integrity, and his acting felt true and honest. When they performed together, you could genuinely feel the chemistry and the emotion between them.
Ryan O’Donnell took on the role of John Carter Cash, narrating the entire story from start to finish. He had a really clear way of telling the tale while still delivering the emotion and some lovely vocals. As you would expect, the show is tragic but also funny and witty; it’s the kind of production that will have you wanting to get on your feet to sing and dance along.
Having not heard very much about this show before it arrived in Cardiff - as it only opened last week - I went in with a really open mind. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it, and I’ll definitely be telling people to go see it as it continues its tour across the rest of the UK. It’s a fabulous night out!
Plays on a UK tour until 19 September 2026
★★★
