Review: The Ballad of Johnny & June at Theatre Royal Plymouth

I went into The Ballad of Johnny & June at Theatre Royal Plymouth with a confession to make! I love country music and recently I was lucky enough to visit Nashville and The Ryman Auditorium and the home of The Grand Ole Opry. So I thought it only fair to attend the show with a friend who knew almost nothing about country music in order to keep the balance!

I know the big Johnny Cash songs, I knew the broad strokes of the love story, and I'd recently spoken to the cast for an In Conversation feature. But i was thrilled to be able to review the show in-person.

Cast of The Ballad of Johnny & June. Credit - Pamela Raith

This is no jukebox singalong or a tribute concert. Instead, it is a thoughtful piece of musical storytelling that traces the lives of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash through the songs, struggles and relationships that shaped them.

The first thing that struck me was just how good the musicians were. From the first moment that she show started feet were tapping and some people were clapping. The on-stage band is exceptional, providing the heartbeat of the production throughout. Whether playing the well-known hits or some of the lesser-known songs, the music never felt like filler. It was integral to the storytelling.

Leading the cast, Christopher Ryan Grant captures Johnny Cash's distinctive vocal style with remarkable (and I mean remarkable) accuracy. There were moments when the depth and tone of his voice genuinely transported you straight into Cash's world. Alongside him, Christina Bianco brings warmth, humour and strength to June Carter Cash, giving her far more depth than simply being "Johnny's wife". One of the production's strengths is that it allows June's own story to shine. Their relationship forms the emotional centre of the show, narrated so perfectly by their son, John Carter Cash, played by Ryan O’Donnell. By the second half, his own story and that of his parent’s becomes genuinely moving and I found myself having to do a few hard swallows when they described their deep love. If only we could all find someone that loves us that hard.

Ryan O'Donnell (John Carter Cash). Credit - Pamela Raith

I hadn't realised quite how close their deaths were in real life, and the production handles those final chapters with real tenderness.

The set itself is deceptively simple. A handful of pieces, clever lighting and projections create everything from radio stations to concert stages, prisons and family homes. It never feels overcomplicated and allows the story and music to remain front and centre.

If I had one criticism, it's that the first half felt a little long. There is a lot of story to tell, and occasionally the pacing dipped before being re-energised by a familiar song. Ring of Fire in particular lit up the audience and reminded everyone why Johnny Cash remains such a beloved figure.

I also found the opening scenes slightly confusing as performers moved between multiple characters. Once I understood the convention, it worked perfectly well, but it took a little while to settle into the rhythm of the production.

What I found most interesting was listening to audience conversations during the interval. Some people seemed to be expecting a more raucous evening, perhaps closer to a concert experience where everyone would be singing along. This isn't really that kind of show. It is much more interested in telling a story than recreating a gig. Personally, I think that's the right choice. The songs have more impact because they are rooted in the lives and experiences behind them.

By the final scenes, the production had won me over completely. The love story is sweet without becoming sentimental, and there is something quietly affecting about watching two complicated people find their way back to each other through music, fame, addiction and family life.

As the band played out at the end, some audience members began leaving before realising there was still a little more to come. That felt slightly unfair on the musicians, who had been so central to the evening's success.

Overall, The Ballad of Johnny & June is an enjoyable, heartfelt and beautifully performed piece of musical theatre. Whether you're a lifelong Johnny Cash fan or, like me, simply curious for more context about the story behind the songs, there's plenty here to enjoy. It's a show filled with great music, strong performances and a love story that lingers long after the curtain call.

Ready to walk the line with Johnny and June? The show is on until 20 Jun 2026 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth?

Running time: 2 hours 25 minutes including a 20-minute interval, (Act 1 - 70 mins, Act 2 - 50 mins). Age guideline: 12+

Captioned – Thu 18 Jun 2026, 7.30pm

BSL Interpreted – Fri 19 Jun 2026, 7.30pm

Audio Described (w/ Touch Tour 12.30pm, please contact Box Office to book) – Sat 20 Jun 2026, 2.30pm