The Ballad of Johnny and June

First performed in La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego) on 28 May 2024, and later that year at the Citadel Theatre (Edmonton) on 9 December, The Ballad of Johnny and June is currently on an extensive tour of the UK. This Johnny Cash musical details his personal and professional entanglement with June Carter; written by Des McAnuff (who also directs) & Robert Cary, it’s based on a concept by the couple’s only child John Carter Cash. I would begin with a summary of the plot, however as time seems to be a rather abstract concept to this show (and it seems to like repetition a fair bit), it’s actually not as straightforward as it should be. At a very basic level – over the course of a 2h25 running time that feels a lot longer than it is – we discover how Johnny Cash and June Carter may have met, before following their careers and then their long-lasting romantic partnership. All narrated by their son, who may or may not be looking back at their relationship because he’s toying with the idea of…