Love is a burning thing, and no one burned brighter than Johnny Cash and June Carter.
He was a small-town musician and storyteller with a voice that stirred the soul. She was the comedienne from the first family of country music. THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY & JUNE takes us inside the soaring highs and shattering lows of a love story that defined an era.
Johnny Cash wasn’t just a country icon – by the late 1960s he had crossed genres and generations. His prison concerts at Folsom and San Quentin were broadcast around the world, ‘Ring of Fire’ and ‘I Walk the Line’ became global hits, and his collaboration with June reignited both their careers. A partnership built on music, faith and resilience, their story captured the hearts of millions and continues to inspire audiences today.
Christopher Ryan Grant (Johnny Cash), Christina Bianco (June Carter Cash), Ryan O’Donnell (John Carter Cash), Celyn Cartwright, Abigail Matthews, Peter Peverley, Christopher Short, Chomba S Taulo, Anne-Marie Wojna, Denis Grindel, Mia Jae, Michael Mahony, Lenny Turner.
One of the cast is from Wales. Celyn Cartwright was born, studied and graduated right here in Wales, in fact, if you saw Aladdin at the Swansea Grand last year with Kev Johns and Joe Pasquale, you’ll recognise Celyn from her role as Alexa in the show.
We caught up with Celyn at the New Theatre during a short break in rehearsals and found out more about the production, and her journey which brought her to her first ever national tour.
JOHN CARTER CASH, son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, has co-created the musical and shaped the show based on his own recollections and memories of his parents. The Ballad of Johnny & June is narrated by the character of John and told from his point of view.
John told us…..
“It has meant a great deal to me to be involved in bringing this new musical to the stage and see my parents Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash’s story told with such care, heart and honesty. Johnny and June’s music was inseparable from their lives, and this musical captures that truth through powerful story telling by a brilliant company, set to their genre-defining music.
I have loved working with the creative team, and my family and I are both delighted and proud that audiences across the UK and Ireland get to see this celebration of their legacy.”
For us, the story of Johnny and June is one of love. Here’s a letter Johnny sent to June, which pretty much sums up his feelings towards the true love of his life….
Princess, We get old and get used to each other. We think alike. We read each others minds. We know what the other wants without asking. Sometimes we irritate each other a little bit. Maybe sometimes take each other for granted. But once in awhile, like today, I meditate on it and realise how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met.
You still fascinate and inspire me.You influence me for the better. You’re the object of my desire, the #1 Earthly reason for my existence. I love you very much Princess. John
Featuring ‘I Walk the Line’, ‘Ring of Fire’, ‘Hey Porter’, ‘Jackson’ and ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’, and directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical).
THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY & JUNE gets to the New Theatre in Cardiff from Tuesday 10th through to Saturday 14th March. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The BSL Interpreted performance is Wednesday 11th at 7.30pm and Audio Described on Saturday 14th March at 2.30pm
For details and tickets go HERE.
