JADAR

★★★★☆

Outside of his music, my first introduction to Johnny Cash was the gripping Walk The Line (2005) movie, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. At the time, it felt rare to get such a behind-the-scenes look at the life of music legends. Of course, now it’s not as strange of a concept, with myriads of biopics and stage productions peaking public interest.

With so much competition, could a Johnny Cash show walk the line? Could it Cash-in on the audience’s country nostalgia?

The Ballad of Johnny & June: The Johnny Cash Musical follows the turbulent private lives and everlasting legacies of Johnny Cash (Christopher Ryan Grant) and June Carter Cash (Christina Bianco), narrated by their son, John Carter Cash (Ryan O’Donnell), and amplified by a range of hit classics and new compositions. 

Robert Brill’s set is intimate and rustic, a cluttered country barn with rolling slatted doors revealing a myriad of on-stage musicians in an entertaining jamboree. While it never quite stretches into immersive theatre, the quaint set, encouraged clap-along segments, and momentary fourth-wall breaks create an uplifting sense of community.

The band are joined by a multi-rolling ensemble of thirteen, led by Grant and Bianca as the titular dynamic duo. Grant is an impressive Cash, his poetic dulcet tones and quirky mannerisms are haunting echoes of the late legend, yet he avoids branching into exaggerated parody or tribute work. In energetic numbers he stretches and gyrates, aiming his guitar like a machine gun before crashing back down with heartfelt, raw lows. In contrast, Bianco is a fresh burst of energy as a June. She’s filled with bags of audacious country charm and soaring with heavenly powerhouse vocals accented with a sweet Southern twang. Her cheeky bravado melts in more vulnerable moments, her cheeky personality a facade as she battles her own demons caused by Johnny’s addiction, her own grief, and a life of stardom.

The story initially oscillates between the early lives and first meeting of Johnny and June, multiple concerts acting as milestones across their lives. Like Buddy: The Musical, the show initially feels like a string of concerts with added gospel and contemporary music. However, new catchy compositions and some cheeky narrations (although a tad exposition heavy) keep the storyline grounded, along with a more steadily paced second act. Act two’s music also fits the narrative more, solemn and poignant performances of ‘Hurt’ and ‘Ain’t No Grave’ reflecting Johnny’s lowest point after battling with his drug and alcohol addiction.

Featuring a massive range of his discography, the show particularly excites crowds with the more well-loved toe-tappers, stand-outs being ‘I Walk the Line’, ‘Ring of Fire’, ‘Jackson’, ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’, and ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’. 

While I appreciated the chipper enthusiasm and helpful insights from O’Donnell’s John Carter Cash, some fourth-wall breaks are a little cheesy with unsubtle time-shifts and odd remarks feeling a tonally amiss.

In terms of the book, their tale is undeniably fascinating, their lives marked by fame, tragic deaths, affairs, addiction, television censorship, and devout religious beliefs.

Most biopic shows and adaptations take liberties in favour of good storytelling, this one admitting inconsistent perspectives and jabbing at what makes a good story. For the most part, the story seems to stick to the facts, but it still suffers from moments of trivialisation. In this case, they attempt to steer clear of romanticising the affair, refusing to paint it as a “fairytale” romance and showing the impact on his devoted wife. Despite this, by act two, the harm they caused is quickly swept under the carpet, along with the brief mention of Johnny’s car crash and time in jail. It doesn’t feel like a significant gripe but is still a noticeable glorification nonetheless. 

The Ballad of Johnny & June is a whirlwind country musical filled to the brim with legendary hits and impactful storytelling. While the pacing and some story elements could benefit from minor tweaking, the passionate, mellifluous cast of singers and musicians entertain in an incredible homage to Johnny’s music and life story. Simply Sue-perb!

The Ballad of Johnny & June: The Johnny Cash Musical runs at Lowry until June 13 and tours the UK until August 19.

Photo: Pamela Raith