The standard of the band behind the large wooden barn-like screens across the stage is an indicator of what is to come – a very high standard of musicianship all round. These are clearly seasoned in the Country & Western genre and are Director and keyboard Connagh Tonkinson, Trumpet Morgan Rees, Electric Guitar Nick Hill, Acoustic Guitar Benedict Wood, Bass Jihea Oh, Drums Zach Okonkwo.
When said barn-like screens open a dark, all purpose set, designed by Robert Brill, is revealed which springs to light as the cast leap into their first music number. The cast, it must be said, as well as being great actors who undertake a multitude of roles throughout the production are also excellent singers and musicians in their own right.
Country music is known for its portrayal of broken lives, heartbreak, alcohol and drug mis-use which runs through the story of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Few punches are pulled in the telling of their entwined lives which is probably down to the involvement of their son John Carter Cash who is a script adviser to the co-authors Des McAnuff and Robert Cary. The script is based on his book about his parents.
His presence is there throughout as the narrator throughout played with knowing humour, a delicate touch and engagement by the remarkable Ryan O’Donnell. It is he who talks directly to the audience as one who was there throughout the lives of his parents. Not once does he lose his involvement in the story whether whilst playing guitar, singing or simply watching the action on stage.
The stars of the piece are Christopher Ryan Grant and Christina Bianco. Grant’s portrayal of Johnny Cash is astounding in his studied deep vocal delivery and physical interpretation. There are too many moments where you are aware of how invested he is in his performance but there are two very subtle moments that stood out for me. When he first starts taking ampthetamins there’s a little twitch around his eyes and a richter smile. Secondly, probably missed by many others, the slight tremor to his right hand – a symptom of his lately diagnosed Shy-Drager Syndrome – which Grant showed whilst sat in semi-darkness toward the end of the show. His inhabiting of Johnny Cash was electrifying and even this hardened hack had tears in her eyes when he says at the end “I get scared when the sun goes down”.
Christina Bianco gave us a spirited, warm performance as June Carter Cash. It was difficult to keep ones eyes off her when the light was on her. Vocally she was perfect and, according to my companion on the night and specialist in the two artists, better than the real June.
They portrayed the deep love between their characters unflinchingly throughout. It was charming to behold.
Although the rest of the cast were remarkable I was particularly drawn to Anne-Marie Wonjna’s performance as Johnny’s first wife Vivienne. It was perfectly placed whether in the joy of their first coming together to the heartbreaking falling apart of their marriage. According to the show ‘Walk The LIne’ was written, by Cash, in response to Vivienne’s deep concern about his potential infidelity on tour.
All the expected great songs were there and expertly delivered , mostly directly to the audience as though in a gig. The audience responded likewise with huge applause as though they were sat in The Grand Ole Oprey.
My only criticism would be that the history of the Cash and Carter families was confusing and too hastily delivered in the script. However it would be difficult to cover such a broad subject in so short a time.
The show was an utter delight on all levels and depicted the lives of both lovers through its immense highs and lows. Christopher Ryan Grant perfectly portrayed the “singer of songs” to an astonishing level. This was a true ‘Ring Of Fire’ throughout.
Tickets
Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-ballad-of-johnny-and-june/theatre-royal-brighton/
