The Ballad of Johnny and June | Newcastle Theatre Royal
Invited| Review by Stephen Stokoe – 2nd June 2026
Another show I have not seen before and as always I have avoided finding out too much about it before arriving at the theatre. Having been brought up by a father who was not only a country and western enthusiast but also a performer himself, I was well acquainted with the music of Johnny Cash but not his story.
The Ballad of Johnny and June is a bio-musical which charts the colourful and sometimes grim story of this globally recognised musician, TV personality, and writer particularly focusing on his relationship with the love of his life, June Carter. The story is narrated by his youngest son, John Carter-Cash (Ryan O’Donnell) with first hand experience and more than a little tongue in cheek humour.
As the show starts the musicians are are introduced with each performing a solo in an alterative and entertaining overture. All the musicians both as part of the band and those who took an actor/muso role were suberb and musical director Connagh Tonkinson must be extremely proud of the calibre of musician he has managed to assemble. It was also clear from the outset that they were all thoroughly enjoying themselves performing these well known and some not so well known country classics.
We then meet the titular Johnny (Christopher Ryan Grant) and June (Christina Biano) and Johnny Jr suggests that nobody really knows the details of their first meeting apart from the accounts of the people who were there. Indeed we see their first meeting several times from different perspectives. This is one of the strengths of this production, it sugar-coats nothing in the known story of this troubled couple and holds its hand up when the writers Des McAnuff and Robert Cary may have used a little artistic licence for entertainment and logistical purposes. It delves into some dark places including drug and alcohol addiction, infidelity, and the mental health issues that seem to come hand in hand with stardom.
The story is generally told in a linear fashion from Cash’s early years, the loss of his brother and dedicating his life to preserving his memory, his first marriage all intertwined around meeting and his subsequent second marriage to June Carter.
Grant is superb in the huge responsibility of bringing Johnny Cash back to the stage. He effortlessly transitions from caring husband, through drug addled violence and back to the loving and devoted husband he proved to be with his second wife. Bianco is outstanding as June Carter bringing a down to earth country gal with a sharp tongue and even sharper wit. The audience warmed to both characters throughout. They are supported by an extremely talented group of performers who play all of the other characters that come in and out of the Cash-Carters’ lives. The programme bills them as Man and Woman 1,2, and 3 because the programme would be the size of a telephone directory if they were to mention all of the characters that these hard working performers bring to life. One name I will mention is local lad Peter Peverley who it is always a joy to see back in the north east bringing his immense comedy and acting chops to the Theatre Royal stage once more. To a person, the ensemble bring exceptional vocals and outstanding acting to the production and the versatility shone through both in their performances and their musical ability.
Often unsung, I cannot finish this review without mentioning the lighting design (Amanda Zieve.) This was beautifully crafted to act, almost, as an additional performer such was the effect that it had throughout the production. It was particularly apparent during the famous performance at Folsom Prison where, which the evocative set (Robert Brill) had not changed dramatically, I certainly felt that we had moved somewhere else largely down to the lighting but also a subtle yet dramatic soundscape (Peter Fitzgerald.) Clever use of lighting and sound always impresses me but these guys really should get a bow of their own for innovation and creativity in their respective fields.
I think a lot of people will come along for the music and they most certainly will not be disappointed on that score. Bianco’s repertoire is a joy to listen to and if you close your eyes you may think Grant is the Man in Black himself. This is, beyond the backstory, Johnny Cash’s greatest hits and devotees will delight in playlist throughout this production. You can come along for the music but The Ballad of Johnny and June gives so much more and I would venture further to suggest that it is one of, if not the best and most beautifully crafted production of its type.Â
Ya’ll best walk the line to the grand ol’ theatre royal, don yer stetsons and pull on yer best dancin’ boots for a story that will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps teach you something you did not know about the dramatic, tempestuous, and passionate love story of moody man Johnny Cash and his fiery, flirtatious flower, June Carter.