REVIEW - THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY & JUNE | THE LOWRY | 09/06/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Ballad of Johnny & June at The Lowry Brings Johnny Cash’s Music to Life
Following its world premiere in San Diego and a successful Canadian run, The Ballad of Johnny & June has arrived in the UK telling the story of country music legends Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Combining live performance with biographical storytelling, the production follows both the rise of Johnny Cash’s career and the relationship that became one of the most famous love stories in country music history.
Going into The Ballad of Johnny & June at The Lowry, I was only really familiar with Ring of Fire and knew very little about Johnny Cash’s life story. I attended with my dad, who grew up listening to Johnny Cash and was far more familiar with both Johnny and June’s music, so it was interesting seeing how differently we approached the production. Despite our different levels of familiarity with the music, we both came away enjoying the show.
What worked particularly well was that the production never felt like simply a tribute concert. While the music is undeniably a huge part of the evening, there is also a real effort to explore the more difficult and complicated parts of Johnny and June’s lives behind the fame.
Narrated by their son John Carter Cash, played by Ryan O’Donnell, the story follows Johnny Cash from his early years through his rise to fame, his struggles with addiction and the relationship he developed with June Carter over several decades.
The first act is very fast-paced and at times feels like the production is trying to fit a huge amount of information into a short space of time. It did take me a little while to fully settle into the show, particularly during the earlier scenes where major moments in Johnny and June’s lives come thick and fast. While this keeps the energy high, it occasionally means some of the emotional moments do not have quite enough time to fully settle before the story moves on again.
The second act feels much more emotionally grounded and allows the audience to connect more deeply with the characters. The production does not shy away from the darker aspects of Johnny Cash’s life, particularly his addiction struggles and the impact they had on those around him. At the same time, there are plenty of lighter moments throughout the evening, many of which come from June Carter’s humour and quick wit.
The audience also clearly enjoyed the references to other famous names from the era, with mentions of artists including Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline receiving excited reactions around the theatre.
From the moment the show begins, it captures a strong country music atmosphere. Robert Brill’s wooden set design works well throughout, creating a rustic backdrop that suits both the concert-style performances and the more personal scenes between characters. Although the set remains largely unchanged, projections are used effectively to establish locations and venues without interrupting the flow of the production.
The lighting design also plays an important role in shaping the mood of the show. Certain musical numbers feel almost concert-like, while quieter moments are given a much more intimate feel. The costumes help firmly place the story within its time period without ever becoming distracting or overly theatrical.
For me, the music was definitely the highlight of the evening. Featuring songs including Ring of Fire, I Walk the Line, Jackson and Folsom Prison Blues, the production is packed with recognisable classics that were met with enthusiastic reactions from the audience. Even as someone who knew very little of Johnny Cash’s catalogue beforehand, it was easy to get swept up in the performances.
During Ring of Fire, I could hear audience members quietly singing along around the theatre, including my dad beside me, and when the song finished it received one of the biggest rounds of applause of the evening.
The live musicians were excellent throughout and added real energy to the production. The harmonies across the cast were particularly strong, and several of the musical arrangements worked especially well live on stage.
Christopher Ryan Grant gives an impressive performance as Johnny Cash. Rather than relying on impersonation alone, he captures the distinctive vocals, mannerisms and stage presence associated with Cash while still making the role feel natural and believable. From his first entrance, he quickly draws the audience in.
Christina Bianco is equally strong as June Carter, bringing warmth, humour and plenty of charisma to the role. Her vocals throughout the evening are excellent and the chemistry between the two leads feels completely believable, helping the emotional side of the story land effectively.
Ryan O’Donnell does a good job tying the story together as narrator John Carter Cash, helping guide the audience through the different stages of Johnny and June’s lives.
The supporting ensemble work incredibly hard throughout the production, taking on multiple roles while also contributing strong vocals and musicianship across the evening.
While the pacing of the first act occasionally feels rushed, the production finds more emotional depth in the second half and is carried throughout by the strength of its performances and music.
Whether you are a longtime Johnny Cash fan or, like me, only recognise a handful of the songs, there is still plenty to enjoy here. Watching the show alongside someone who already knew and loved the music also highlighted how well the production works for both dedicated fans and audiences coming to Johnny and June’s story for the first time.
It may not always walk the line perfectly, but The Ballad of Johnny & June still delivers an enjoyable night of country music storytelling.
The Ballad of Johnny & June will be at The Lowry until Saturday 13th June 2026. Tickets are available using the link below.
For more information about the production, including tour dates and show details, visit the official website below.
Photo Credit - Pamela Raith
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.
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