‘I Fell into a Fire Ball of Fire…’ The Ballad of Johnny and June, Churchill Theatre, Bromley 06.03.2026.
Its hard to believe that we are 3 months into the year, and I have just got to the theatre – when I was hoping to get out an about more this year due to some kind Christmas theatre vouchers. Alas, I was super excited to be invited to the press night of tonight’s musical, a new one for the united kingdom which has its officially opening this week at the Churchill Theatre Bromley.
The Ballad of Johnny & June brings audiences into the soaring highs and heart-breaking lows of a love story that shaped a generation. He was a small-town musician and storyteller whose voice could move a crowd. She was the witty comedienne from country music’s legendary first family. From life on stage to the miles on the road, through success, struggle, and redemption, this brand-new musical, created with the help of their family and told through the eyes of their son, John Carter Cash, reveals why Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash remain still as one of the most iconic and influential couples of the 20th century.
Although I didn’t know a great deal about Johnny and June beforehand—aside from what I remembered from the film Walk the Line, which I saw quite some time ago—I was already familiar with many of Johnny’s classic hits such as I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, and Jackson. The show also introduced a few songs that were new to me, and I was pleasantly surprised that original material had been included to help move the story along. This added an extra layer to the production, allowing me to learn more about the couple and discover aspects of their story I hadn’t known before. Of course, fitting 42 years of history into a two-and-a-half-hour production is no easy task, but the musical manages to strike a strong balance between storytelling and song, using both effectively to highlight the key moments and milestones along their journey together.
The production was set within a country house barn, with the band positioned behind the performers, while several members of the cast also played their own instruments to bring the songs to life. For much of the show the staging had a concert-style feel, with the action focused centre stage, while smaller scenes unfolding to the side helped tell parts of the story from behind the scenes. Having the actors play the instruments themselves seems to be becoming increasingly common in musical theatre, but for a story like this it worked particularly well, helping to build the atmosphere and making the performances feel more authentic and engaging for the audience.
My only real confusion came with the portrayal of the younger characters—Young Johnny and Young John Carter. Instead of being played by actors on stage, their presence was represented through a spotlight and voiced by the actor playing John Carter. At first this was a little puzzling. While the performer delivered the lines well, they were essentially acting opposite empty space, and I personally found it difficult to fully connect with that choice. For me, it felt like an unnecessary theatrical device that didn’t quite land, and I think the moments may have worked better had child actors been brought in to portray those roles. That said, the rest of the performance worked very well. The ensemble took on multiple characters throughout the show, and the relatively small cast helped keep the production from feeling overcrowded. It also gave each performer the chance to shine in different moments across the story.
Straight from across the pond comes American musical theatre star Christopher Ryan Grant, who originally portrayed Johnny Cash in both the San Diego and Canadian productions. We’re certainly lucky to have him bring the role to the UK. If you closed your eyes, you could easily believe that Johnny himself was standing on stage in front of you. Grant’s ability to hit each note and capture Cash’s distinctive baritone is nothing short of astounding. Beyond the vocals, he also embodies the character with confidence and authenticity, adding depth to the performance. It’s clear he has a deep admiration for the role he’s playing, portraying Johnny with both respect and genuine affection—something that truly shines through in his performance.
Standing by his side was Christina Bianco as June Carter Cash. She proved to be an absolute vocal powerhouse throughout the show, delivering each number with confidence and flair. One standout performance for me was No Swallerin’ Place—a notoriously tricky song packed with tongue-twisting lyrics and rapid phrasing. Yet she handled it with such ease and precision that it became a real highlight of the evening. Her chemistry with Christopher Ryan Grant felt genuine from the moment their characters met—whichever perspective of their story you believed. Together, they ensured their portrayals remained respectful and true to the famous couple, giving audiences who never had the chance to see them perform live a small glimpse into what that magic might have felt like.
Supporting the couple was an incredible ensemble. As mentioned, each cast member had a defined role, yet they seamlessly shifted into different characters from scene to scene. Special mention goes to Christopher Short and Chomba S. Toulo. Christopher not only has a beautiful voice but also commanded a strong stage presence in the many roles he portrayed, making sure each character felt distinct while delivering consistently engaging performances. Chomba brought some wonderfully comical moments, allowing the audience to connect with him and adding lighthearted laughs that were a welcome balance to the story’s more emotional moments.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing something new in musical theatre—a fresh jukebox musical that, in this instance, still has room to grow and really cement itself on the map. That said, with an amazing cast leading the way, you won’t leave the theatre disappointed. In fact, you might just be inspired to dust off your cowboy boots and sing along as you step out into the night!
Closing at the Churchill Theatre tonight, tickets are still available for tonight’s performances, the musical will then embark on its UK and Ireland tour, for all dates and ticket information head here inc Churchill Theatre.
