I have to admit, I went into The Ballad of Johnny and June not really being much of a Johnny Cash fan. What I also hadn't realised was just how many of his iconic songs I actually knew. By the end of the show, I was completely won over.

The ups and downs of Johnny Cash and June Carter's lives are well documented, but this production brings something different to their story. Johnny and June's son, John Carter Cash, was heavily involved in the show and acts as its narrator, telling his parents' story with warmth, humour and, perhaps most importantly, authenticity.

Ryan O'Donnell as John Carter Cash is superb. He is completely engaging as a storyteller, with a beautiful voice, and provides a wonderful connection between the audience and the story unfolding on stage.

Christopher Ryan Grant as Johnny Cash embodies the legendary singer brilliantly, capturing that unmistakable swagger and presence.

And Christina Bianco as June Carter is simply stunning. Vocally note-perfect, she perfectly captures June's humour, quirkiness, warmth and incredible strength.

The casting across the production is excellent, with the small ensemble multi-roling throughout the show while also doubling as the musicians. Having the live band on stage rather than hidden away in the pit adds another layer of authenticity, particularly during the scenes set in concert halls. It makes the performances feel immediate and intimate, as though we're watching the real thing unfold in front of us.

The staging is minimal but incredibly effective, proving once again that you don't need elaborate sets to tell a compelling story. The focus remains firmly on the characters, the music and the relationships between them.

And what a story it is.

The Ballad of Johnny and June takes us through the highs and lows of their lives — heartbreak, addiction, resilience, success and loss — but at its heart, this is a love story. A complicated, sometimes messy, but ultimately unwavering love story between two people who found something extraordinary in each other.

There was one particular scene that gave me genuine goosebumps. Without spoiling it for anyone who doesn't know much about Johnny Cash's childhood, an apparition of Cash's late brother appears, leading into one of the most poignant moments of the entire production.

It was beautiful and haunting in equal measure.

The combination of an extraordinary vocal performance, perfectly judged lighting and the acting surrounding it created one of the most beautifully produced all-round moments I've seen in a theatre for some time. It's a scene that stayed with me long after the curtain came down.

Of course, there are the songs. From the instantly recognisable classics to the moments that perhaps had me realising, "Oh, I know this one too!", the soundtrack is packed with iconic country music.

And that's perhaps the biggest compliment I can give this show: you don't need to be a Johnny Cash fan to enjoy it.

Whether you're a fan of Johnny, June, country music, or none of the above, The Ballad of Johnny and June is a wonderful piece of theatre. It's beautifully performed, incredibly well cast and packed with iconic music, but underneath all of that is a complex, fascinating and deeply human love story.

Iconic tracks. Flawless performances. And at its heart, an extraordinary love story.

I went in not really knowing what to expect.

I came out understanding exactly why Johnny Cash and June Carter's story continues to fascinate audiences.

The Ballad of Johnny and June is at Mayflower Theatre until 12th September - tickets available on the website https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/the-ballad-of-johnny-june-2026/

For more theatre news tune into Music and Monologues every Sunday from 9pm on Voice FM