(CMR) A new comedy show, Wha Happening, will debut on the Harquail Theatre on Friday, 29 September. Born out of the legacy of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s long-running musical comedy revue, Rundown, the satirical comedy show shall be written, directed, and produced by Caymanian creative Matt Brown.
Natalie Urquhart, Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) Chief Executive Officer, said the Foundation had been approached by Wha Happening director Matt Brown with the concept for the new show and had jumped at the chance to support the project.
“The main focus of CNCF, and our recently expanded Grants for the Arts program, is to champion talents like Matt and the solid of actors performing within the show, and offer them the support to bring their production to fruition,” Urquhart said.
“Matt is a much-loved, satirical comic author and director with an excellent track record for producing quality entertainment that explores social, cultural and political issues through humor and wit,” she added.
Wha Happening is a fast-paced mixture of stand-up, parodies and sketches on topical, modern Cayman life. The comedy show will play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings over three weekends, commencing 29 September 2023.
Matt Brown, Author and Director of Wha Happening, said audiences would see a spread of comedic sketches covering topics akin to the Cayman dump, the selling of Cayman, dating in Cayman, the country’s traffic woes and CARIFTA athletes.
“Wha Happening brings together Cayman’s funniest comedians and performers, including Cayman theatre stalwarts Leroy Holness and Michael Mclaughlin. Lesley Ann Bernard, Gisselle Webb and Priscilla Pouchie round out an experienced and star-studded solid,” he said.
“My gratitude to the CNCF and its Grants for the Arts program for giving me the chance to complement the lives of Cayman residents through this production. And my deep appreciation to Henry Muttoo, who provided me with the chance to take part in Rundown 2013 and has since been a dedicated mentor to my craft,” Brown said.
Created by Dave Martins in 1991, Rundown was the annual centerpiece of the CNCF theatre program for over 25 years. During his 30+ 12 months tenure as CNCF Artistic Director, Henry Muttoo designed, directed and wrote Rundown for much of its run, with Brown joining as a contributing author for its last cycle.
“For over 30 years, Mr. Muttoo, because the Artistic Director of CNCF, worked tirelessly to create a legacy for the event of arts and culture within the Cayman Islands,” Urquhart said.
“CNCF is delighted to support the continuation of Cayman comedy theatre and is worked up to see a new generation of audiences entertained by this new work,” she added.
To see Wha Happening:
When: Three consecutive weekends 29 September – 15 October, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 6pm.
Where: The Harquail Theatre
Tickets: CI$25 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+) and youngsters (under 12). Tickets can be found on the CNCF office and online at https://eventpro.ky/
