It’s not often that a theatre audience breaks into loud applause the moment the stage fills with its characters. Usually that reaction is reserved for the curtain call. Yet on a Wednesday afternoon matinee at the New Theatre Cardiff, the arrival of the central characters in THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY & JUNE sparked exactly that response.
The moment says a lot about the show. It also says a lot about the people who came to see it.
The audience was a mixture of devoted fans of Johnny Cash (CHRISTOPHER RYAN GRANT) and June Carter Cash (CHRISTINA BIANCO), along with theatregoers drawn by what many consider one of the most compelling love stories in music history. It’s a relationship that endured fame, addiction, heartbreak and redemption. This production captures that journey with warmth, honesty and an undeniable sense of musical energy.
At the heart of the story is family. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of their son, John Carter Cash, played with sensitivity and charm by RYAN O’DONNELL. His performance gives the show its emotional anchor. As both narrator and participant in the story, he guides us through the highs and lows of his parents’ extraordinary lives.
There is a genuine warmth to his storytelling. His connection to the material feels natural and sincere. It’s also worth noting that Ryan trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, which adds a pleasing local connection for Cardiff audiences.
Another Welsh presence on stage comes in the form of CELYN CARTWRIGHT, also a graduate of the Royal Welsh. Celyn brings both musical skill and stage presence to the production, adding another layer of talent to a cast already packed with performers who clearly relish telling this story. Watch our interview with Celyn HERE.
And it’s a story filled with drama.
Johnny Cash’s life was far from smooth. The show does not shy away from the darker chapters that shaped him. His struggles with addiction, the pressures of fame and the personal turmoil that threatened to derail his career are all explored with a thoughtful balance of honesty and respect.
The production also highlights the strength and determination of June Carter. Her influence on Johnny’s life was profound. She stood by him when his career faltered and helped guide him through some of his most difficult moments. The show presents their relationship not as a fairytale, but as a partnership that survived real challenges.
That honesty gives the love story its weight. It’s not simply romantic. It is resilient.
Musically, the show is a joy. One of its greatest strengths is the presence of a remarkable live band who are very much part of the storytelling. The musicians are not hidden away in a pit but are woven directly into the action on stage.
Even more impressive is the fact that several cast members also play instruments themselves. This creates an authenticity that lifts the performances. The music feels alive and spontaneous rather than carefully choreographed. You sense that everyone on stage genuinely loves this material.
And of course, there is plenty of it. The audience clearly recognised the songs and responded enthusiastically throughout. The atmosphere in the theatre felt closer to a concert than a traditional stage show at times, which is exactly what the production aims to create.
The result is a celebration of Johnny’s music while still telling the personal story behind it.
Importantly, the show doesn’t feel like it’s only for existing fans. Of course, those of us who already admire Johnny Cash will find plenty to enjoy. But the production also offers something more. It provides insight into the man behind the legend. His fears, his flaws and the relationships that shaped his life are all explored with care.
For anyone interested in the history of modern music, or simply a powerful human story, there’s a lot here to appreciate.
The applause that greeted the cast early in the show returned again and again as the afternoon unfolded. By the final moments, the audience was fully invested, celebrating not just the music but the extraordinary life behind it.
Cardiff audiences only have a short window to catch the show before it leaves on Saturday 14th March. It’s well worth taking the opportunity.
THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY & JUNEÂ is at the New Theatre in Cardiff. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on 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.
