A man with a guitar and a woman stand facing each other, singing into a vintage microphone like Johnny and June, seen through the center of a vinyl record with handwritten lyrics in the background.

Two performers stand on stage, one singing into a microphone and the other playing guitar and singing, evoking a Johnny and June vibe as they deliver a heartfelt ballad under stage lighting.

The Ballad of Johnny and June

Tue 28 Apr - Sat 2 May 2026

Venue: Festival Theatre

He was a small-town musician and storyteller with a voice that stirred the soul. She was the comedienne of the first family of country music.

Love is a burning thing, and no one burned brighter than Johnny Cash and June Carter.

The Ballad of Johnny & June takes you inside the soaring highs and shattering lows of a love story that defined an era. From the stage to the road, through triumphs, heartbreak, and redemption this brand-new musical, created with the support of their family and told through the eyes of their son, John Carter Cash, shows why Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash remain one of the most influential couples of the 20th Century.

American musical theatre star Christopher Ryan Grant, who originated the role of Johnny Cash in New York and Canada premiere, now brings his acclaimed portrayal to the UK stage for the first time, joined by award-nominated actress Christina Bianco (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Wizard of Oz).

Packed with legendary hits from I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Hey Porter, Jackson, I’ve Been Everywhere and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy, and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical) don’t miss your chance to join music royalty for The Ballad of Johnny & June.

Split image poster featuring Christopher Ryan Grant on the left and Christina Bianco on the right, promoting "The Ballad of Johnny and June," a celebration of timeless music and legendary love.

Man in white shirtsleeves singing on stage with big guitar

Christopher Ryan Grant

Johnny Cash

Christina Bianco

June Carter Cash

Des McAnuff

Director

Performance details

Show times: Evenings; 7.30pm; Matinees; 2.30pm Wed, Thu & Sat
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval
Age suitability: 12+
Additional information: Strong language, replica weapons, suggested violence, haze, flashing and bright lights, substance use, alcoholism and addiction

Discounts

Friends 20% off (excl Fri & Sat) – Read more about the Friends discount

Concessions £3 off (excl. Fri & Sat)

Accessibility information

Audio described performance Sat 2 May, 2.30pm
Touch tours Begins 90 minutes before the Audio Described performance listed above.
British Sign Language performance Sat 2 May, 2.30pm
Captioned performance Thu 30 April, 7.30pm

We believe theatre is for everyone, and we want your visit to be as easy and enjoyable as possible.

If you’d like advice when booking or planning your trip, please get in touch with us. You can also find more access information for the Festival Theatre using the button below.

Access information