The Ballad of Johnny & June comes to Richmond Theatre this July on UK tour

Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.

Des McAnuff’s new musical about Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash arrives at Richmond Theatre from 7–11 July 2026 as part of a national tour, blending their most recognisable songs with a family-led story told through their son, John Carter Cash.

The Ballad of Johnny & June arrives at Richmond Theatre this July as part of its UK and Ireland tour, bringing a production that has quickly built a reputation for its strong live performances, familiar songbook and emotionally direct storytelling.

Running from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 July 2026, the musical steps into the lives of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash at the height of their fame, tracing a relationship shaped by music, addiction, resilience and a creative partnership that left a lasting mark on country music. The story is framed through their son, John Carter Cash, adding a personal perspective to the couple’s public legacy.

At the centre of the production is Des McAnuff, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning director behind Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy and Ain’t Too Proud. His staging leans into the energy of the music, built around a live band and a catalogue of defining songs including I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Jackson, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Hurt and A Boy Named Sue.

The tour is led by Christopher Ryan Grant as Johnny Cash and Christina Bianco as June Carter Cash, a pairing frequently highlighted for their vocal strength and on-stage chemistry. Together with a 13-strong company and live band, they drive a production that plays as much like a concert experience as a traditional book musical.