The Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s (CNCF) hit comedy sketch show ‘Wha Happening’ is set to return for a fourth season next month, bringing another round of satire inspired by everyday life in the Cayman Islands.
This year’s show will run at the Harquail Theatre from 18 September until 4 October (Photo: CNCF)
Written and directed by Matt Brown, the production has become a regular feature of the local theatre calendar, using comedy to poke fun at the islands’ quirks, politics and social trends.
According to CNCF, the latest season will blend live sketches with music and film, drawing on familiar Cayman experiences and current events.
The cast includes Brown, Michael McLaughlin Lesley-Ann Bernard, Evana Martinez, Brent McLean, Illey Moya, Arthur McTaggart and Leroy Holness, alongside other local performers.
The production follows in the tradition of ‘Rundown’, the long-running Caymanian comedy revue created by Henry Muttoo and Dave Martins.
Brown, who performed in ‘Rundown’ for many years, launched ‘Wha Happening’ in 2023 as a new take on local sketch comedy.
In a CNCF press release, he said audiences can expect another lively production.
“’Wha Happening’ has completely spiraled out of control,” he joked. “It’s no longer a comedy show. The cast openly insults each other, gossips behind each other’s backs, and behaves in ways that should involve HR.”
He added that the production offers the kind of comedy that resonates with people who know Cayman well.
Cassandra Shea, CNCF’s head of theatre and productions, said the show’s popularity reflects Caymanians’ ability to not take themselves too seriously.
“There’s a reason this show keeps selling out – we know how to laugh at ourselves,” she said.
“That’s not a small thing. It’s a sign of a community confident enough in who it is to poke fun at it. This season, the cast brings that energy tenfold.”
The new season opens at the FJ Harquail Cultural Centre on 18 September, with performances running over three weekends until 4 October.
Shows are scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with afternoon and evening performances on Saturdays.
Tickets purchased in advance are CI$25 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children. They will soon be available through the Cayman National Cultural Foundation website here.
