The Ballad Of Johnny & June Review: walking a fine line without empathy
- Jack Davey
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
30 June 2026 I 19:30 I Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (UK Tour)
⭐⭐ I PR - Invite
The careers of country legends Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash come under the spotlight for one week at Bradford's Alhambra Theatre, as The Ballad Of Johnny & June continues its UK and Ireland tour. You'd be hard-pushed to find someone that hasn't heard the duo's music, their sound is genre-defying. It's likely that you'll recognise even more than you expect!
As a new musical, this one really has flown under the radar in recent months. Though it's a shame that lightning doesn't strike twice for director Des McAnuff (of Jersey Boys acclaim), as the Carter-Cash biography gives audiences very little to connect with across a love story built on conflict.
The titular couple's son John Carter Cash (Ryan O'Donnell) acts as our guide for the evening. He is often seated at the boundaries of the stage, interjecting with pieces of history or reminding us, quite a few times, that he isn't yet alive in this part of the story. As an outside voice, John's lines are overly educational (at risk of patronising), or generally fail to provide any real substance. Repeatedly jumping between his narration and other moments of dialogue, it makes the show incredibly unsettled, which speaks for itself without the need for John's presence.
Tonally, Johnny Cash's voice is so deeply rich and comforting, which Christopher Ryan Grant replicates with great expertise. You could close your eyes, and it'd sound like a record from the man himself. Even down to his rhythmic swagger and way of walking, his character study is evident. McAnuff and Robert Cary's book let him down however, with such a strong focus on Johnny's mistakes and addictions, leaving no room for charm. Flawed characters can be a great tool for making compelling theatre, but this version of Johnny is just too unlikeable to champion.
Beyond the principal three named characters, others are heavily multi-rolled and not very well established. Childhood scenes are introduced through musical interludes, where their lyrical complexity can be easy to lose. Through these moments, O'Donnell plays a young Johnny, who sits to the side while the adult ensemble portray his siblings. But instead of O'Donnell joining the stage, his family speak down to a white spotlight in the centre, as we are asked to imagine young Johnny (who is sat a couple of metres away!).
Christina Bianco is able to breathe fresh air into the musical with her spritely June Carter Cash, who is less familiar as a musician though still highly influential. Bianco is enjoyable and fiercely strong-minded, really living through the musical numbers (her playful expressions in No Swallerin' Place being a highlight of the evening). Supported by Abigail Matthews as Anita Carter, their sisterly pairing is tender and forgiving whenever they appear.
Stylistically, it does feel as if we've seen this show before. The action takes place in a hybrid barn/concert stage, as Robert Brill's design is predictable in embracing an earthy, country aesthetic. Though it makes for some nice imagery, as Amanda Zieve's backlighting seeps through the wooden slats. Choreography in songs is equally on-the-nose (Byron Easley), mostly reduced to side-stepping and swaying. It fits the genre, but quickly becomes disinteresting.
Undeniably, the Cash-Carter songbook is remarkable, featuring tracks that I have always admired. It does leaves the question whether country belongs in the world of theatre. Musically, songs blend into one another due to their less-individual sound, yearning for more standout scenes. As a celebration of two industry giants, The Ballad Of Johnny & June is a crowd-pleasing event, leaning into tribute as older members of the audience leap to their feet for a standing ovation. Though as a work of theatre, its writing is overly harsh to empathise with, and it's 2hrs 25m run time feels tediously longer.
Full UK Tour Dates & Information: https://johnnyandjunemusical.com/
