Discover the definitive story behind the country-singing legends
Manchester has an abundance of theatres staging musicals and you would be hard-pressed not to find one on any day of the week.
Luckily, I love a good musical and that is exactly what I found when I made a recent visit to The Lowry in Salford Quays.
The Ballad of Johnny and June is the musical depicting the life of Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter.
Now, I am of an age where I haven’t heard of Johnny Cash, though I did recognise some of the music in the show. But this didn’t stop me from enjoying this new musical.
Forget your happy all-singing all-dancing feel-good musical, this show was raw, edgy and depicted what life was like for Cash out on the road in the 1950s and '60s.
The story is told through the eyes of their son, John Carter Cash, and is the definitive story behind the country-singing legends.
The musical joins the duo on the road, as they battle their demons and occasionally each other.
Cash was played by Christopher Ryan Grant and his performance as the angst-ridden Cash, battling his demons of drink and drugs, was spot on. His voice was incredible and he nailed it as he sang the Cash songbook including classics like I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire and Hey Porter.
His second wife, June, was played by Christina Bianco and she was a firecracker of an actress. I looked up the couple after the show, and they both sounded, and looked, like their characters.
They were brilliantly accompanied by an outstanding cast playing multiple parts, and every one of them was on-song with their vocals.
The set was also a throwback to the '50s and '60s country setting of America, though it probably hasn't changed much over the years.
This musical is a thought-provoking look at two of the icons of Country music and it shows that life isn't all it seems behind the fame and fortune.
The show is from the Olivier and Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff and shows the high-energy, life affirming celebration of love, rebellion and two people bound by music.
The musical is on a major tour until September.
For more shows at The Lowry, visit www.thelowry.com
Review by Charlotte Williams
