The Johnny Cash Story at The Lowry Review
The Johnny Cash Story
The Lowry, Manchester
16 March 2014
Reviewed by Debbie Tasker
On Sunday 16 March we went to The Quays Theatre at The Lowry in Salford Quays, Manchester to see The Johnny Cash Story as sung by Roger Dean.
Roger Dean performs the music and lyrics of the legend and takes us on a journey through his personal and professional life from the cotton fields of Arkanas in the 1930s until his death in 2003.
The show opens with the stage in darkness and an audio playing of a radio interview Cash did many years ago. As it comes to an end the lights come on and Roger Dean dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, not unlike Cash’s stage attire, and his band The Lazy Boys kick of this fantastic feel good show in style.
Johnny Cash had a far from idyllic life and he used his experiences for many of his songs. Roger Dean’s storytelling is exceptional; he talks about him from the angle of an old friend and knows him so well. He switches from narration to song flawlessly and is a true entertainer in his own right. His vocal skills are impressive and he has great stage presence. The musical arrangement works well with Warren James on lead guitar and Barry Meck on bass guitar. The drummer is also exceptional.
Johnny Cash had a life full of ups and downs from drug addiction, his suicide attempt and failed first marriage to highs of fame and marrying the love of his life June Carter. A back catalogue of many of his hits are included in the show – I Walk the Line, Deliah’s Gone, A Boy Named Sue, Five Feet High and Rising, Bird on a Wire and my favourites Ring of Fire and San Quentin to name but a few.
This is by no means a Stars In Your Eyes show as Roger Dean does mention very early on in the show. It is a celebration of Johnny Cash and is very educational and at times moving.
It is quite a long show – nearly three hours long but the time flies as you are so engrossed in the story and music. The audience was predominantly over 60s so it wasn’t exactly jumping but the atmosphere is good and we enjoyed the whole evening.
If you are a Johnny Cash fan… go! If you’re not… go! You won’t be disappointed.
Roger Dean mentioned last night that there will be a new CD out soon with unheard Cash recordings, I will be looking out for it.
The Quays Theatre at The Lowry is fairly small and lends itself well to these kind of shows as it gives it an intimate feel. Staff were pleasant and friendly as I always find and the building is clean and well kept.
Rating: 5/5 
Roger Dean and The Johnny Cash Story is touring the UK until November, for more details and tour dates visit www.roger-dean.com/tour.php.
