The Ballad of Johnny & June

The Ballad of Johnny & June comes to the Grand Opera House from 4 to 8 August, a stage musical celebrating the love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. It's part of a tour across the UK and Ireland, and producer Howard Panter describes it as "a journey through love, struggle and redemption told through some of the greatest music ever written."

The story is told through the eyes of their son, John Carter Cash, and runs through the songs that defined them. You'll hear I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Jackson, A Boy Named Sue, Hurt, Hey Porter and I’ve Been Everywhere. It's a fair bit of ground to cover in one show, and it doesn't shy away from the rougher edges: there are content warnings for adult themes, drug and alcohol abuse, and a rifle on stage, though it's never fired.

Behind the scenes, the production is in experienced hands. It's directed by Des McAnuff, who won two Tony Awards for Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. The leads are Christopher Ryan Grant, who originated the role of Johnny Cash in New York and Canada, and Christina Bianco, a nominated performer known for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and The Wizard of Oz.

There are matinees at 14:30 and evening performances at 19:30, and it's recommended for ages 12 and up. Tickets range from £36 to £52.50, including booking fees, with group discounts for 10 or more people on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. If you need it, there's a captioned performance on Thursday 6 August at 19:30.