Grand
Cayman, Cayman Islands
– It’s Rundown time again! Cayman’s most hilarious comedy show
is back for its 27th
season with its usual disclaimer “If You Don’t Laugh, Sue Me”.
However, neither the performers or the organisers – Cayman National
Cultural Foundation (CNCF) – should be in any danger of legal
action because attendees are always guaranteed to laugh out loud at
this annual revue which is a mixture of comedy, satire and songs
about living life in Cayman told through a collection of skits,
monologues and music.

Created
by then long-time resident Dave Martins in 1991, Rundown is now
embedded in the cultural psyche of the Cayman public. People look
forward to a mention in the show and count it an honour to be
featured in Rundown. When the show first started in 1992, it was
described as “one step closer to defining Caymanian theatre” by
Henry Mr. Muttoo
CNCF Artistic Director and designer and director of Rundown 2019
since its initial year, and the comedy’s writer since 2009.

“Rundown
lasting for over 25 years is a testament to the incredible hard work
of all those who have been involved with the production since day
one, as well as the impact the show has had on Cayman’s culture
throughout the years. With so many entertainment options readily
available these days, to have the show stand the test of time and be
so successful is quite special. We must be doing something right,”
says Muttoo.

Muttoo
added that the best way to describe Rundown to someone who has never
experienced it is that it depicts people from many different
countries “shooting the breeze” alongside “born and bred”
Caymanians. He says the show looks at Cayman from a hilariously
muddled yet cohesive viewpoint and touches on many of the issues and
news stories the islands have experienced over the last year.

This
year’s edition will include many familiar faces, some who are
returning to the stage after a break, as well as some newcomers to
the mix.

Leroy
Holness is a
veteran of the Cayman stage, going back to the days of the Inn
Theatre and Cayman National Theatre Company. While he has played in
several productions and received much praise for his acting, it is as
the indefatigable and always forward‐looking Rasta ‘Ital’ in
Rundown where he has left his indelible creative stamp in the hearts
of the Cayman theatre public. Leroy is the last remaining active
member of the original 1992 Rundown cast.

Rundown
fans and followers will be delighted to see the return of Quincy
Brown to the
show’s family. Quincy was born on Cayman Brac and started singing
solo in church at age six and performing Louise Bennett pieces at age
12 on the Harquail Theatre stage for National Children’s Festival
of the Arts (NCFA). He has won many awards in the performing arts
over the years in theatre, drama, speech and singing, and in 2017
marked his 25th anniversary on stage.

A
CARIMAC trained radio broadcaster, he has worked for Radio Cayman,
Vibe 98.9FM and Rooster 101.9FM as an announcer, DJ and News
Reporter. This is Quincy's self-proclaimed "COME BACK" to
the Rundown production after seven years of absence.

Lesley-Ann
Bernard is a
teacher at John Gray High School. She is also a professional actress
who has been involved in many productions in Jamaica and the Cayman
Islands. She likes to think of herself as a true "theatre lover"
who especially enjoys being on stage. Lesley will be sharing her
melodious singing voice with audiences again this year.

Priscilla
Pouchie is no
stranger to the performing arts. She has been reciting, singing and
dancing since elementary school and has graced the stage of the
Harquail countless times. Priscilla has also had the pleasure of
representing her homeland in performances across the globe, and in
2014 she proudly received the CNCF's Bronze Award for Creativity in
the Arts at the National Arts & Culture Awards. She is delighted
to once again entertain the Cayman public and reconnect with her
second family in Rundown 2019.

George
Jones is a
founding member and keyboard player of top Barbadian soca band Square
One, which has become one of the Caribbean's most travelled, awarded
and highly successful bands. From 2013 until present he has produced
arranged and performed every Rundown soundtrack. In 2015, he made his
onstage debut as Musical Director and actor. George produced the
soundtrack in 2016 but had to take a break from the stage to recover
from a major illness. The Rundown cast was thrilled to welcome him
back to stage for 2017 and 2018. He continues in his role as musical
director, arranger and ‘one man band’ for Rundown 2019.

Giselle
Webb can
justifiably now call herself a true “Rundown Idiot”, having
performed in four editions of the show. She has been a long-standing
senior member of Dance Unlimited and although she does not perform as
often as she would like, she still is considered one of Cayman’s
most accomplished dancers. Giselle recently added a beautiful
daughter, Gia, to the Caymanian population. With the amount of time
Gia has spent on the Rundown set who knows how long it will be before
she is ready for a role herself. Look out Cayman!

Rachel
Gepolla
studied Business Management at the University of the Philippines in
the Visayas and worked for 10 years as a sales assistant before
becoming a nanny/housekeeper wearing multi-coloured hats, some which
fit, and others which don't! Rachel is a friendly ‘Mama Goose’
with a strong work ethic and positive attitude who loves reading and
listening to mellow and country music. She says gardening is her
stress reliever and eating is her favourite past-time while doing
karaoke with friends.

Troy
Rodgers has
been performing for over 15 years. He was a recipient of Jamaica’s
Prime Minister’s Youth Award for the Arts & Culture in 2010, as
well as the Charles Hyatt Award for Best Actor (Comedy). He joined
the cast of Rundown, driven by a passion for the performing arts. He
is also a member of the Cayman Islands Folk Singers.

Evana
Martinez has
been performing from the tender age of five, when she knew her
passion was the performing arts. As a young girl she performed in
church choirs, school dances, a George Town quadrille group and
performed various excerpts from theatre plays at the Cayman Islands
National Festival of the Arts. She has performed on international
stages in places such as Las Vegas, Texas, Birmingham, Alabama and
Scotland, and has been a storyteller at “Gimistory”. Evana also
sang during a few of the past “Rundown” shows where her musical
talent was put to use. After a five-year break, she is honoured to be
a part of Rundown again.

Josefa
Martinez-Shims
has been performing for over 25 years. In 2000 Josefa was crowned the
first Miss Cayfest. In 2001 she entered the Miss Teen pageant and won
"Best Talent" for playing pan and reciting a monologue, and
at her graduation from high school, she won the CNCF award. She is no
stranger to comedy and appeared in Rundown for the first time in
2007. She has represented the Cayman Islands internationally in
Jamaica, New York and Canada. Her most recent performing credit was a
co-actor role in a Cayman short film called "The Elevator Ride".
She has also starred in two other short films abroad. Josefa is
excited to perform on stage with her fellow cast members after a
short break of three years.

Sixteen-year
old Aiden
Watler has a
love for theatre and is excited about being invited to be part of the
Rundown cast again this year. He plays multiple instruments and loves
to make people laugh with his ability to portray many different
characters. He was first introduced to the Cayman National Cultural
Foundation at age six when Rita Estevanovich invited winners of the
National Children’s Festival of the Arts Gold award to the youth
Gimistory night.

Jerrin
Carter is a
26-year old aspiring actor. He has performed in a few comedy skits
before and this past August he made his full feature acting debut
during CARIFESTA XIV in Dr Frank McField’s “Downside Up”.
Bitten by the acting bug, he will make his Rundown debut this year.

Acting
in local theatre since high school, Pamela
Norton is a
character within herself. Her friends and family just don’t know
what to expect out of her animated, sunshiny, personality. New to the
Rundown stage but part of the Cayman community for 15 years, you may
recognise her voice on Big Fish 95.5 radio. She says she loves being
a part of the Rundown team the way she loves cooked food.

This
year’s show will take place at the Harquail Theatre over three
weekends in November. Opening night is Thursday, 14 November at 8pm
and the other performances will take place on Friday, Saturday and
Sunday for three weekends.

• November
  15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30 at 8:00 pm
  
• November
  17, 24 and December 1 at 6:00 pm
  

Tickets
are $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under and seniors 65+
(ID required). They can be purchased at Health Care Pharmacy (Grand
Harbour), Foster’s (Airport & Camana Bay)
Funky Tangs and the Harquail Theatre (949-5477), or online at
www.eventpro.ky.

To
reserve tickets, or for more information on Rundown, email
cncf@artscayman.org, call 949.5477 or check out the CNCF’s official
Facebook page @caymanculture.

The
Cayman National Cultural Foundation

For
more than 30 years, the non-profit Cayman National Cultural
Foundation has carried out its mission of stimulating, facilitating
and preserving Caymanian cultural and artistic expression. CNCF has
achieved this through the extensive development of wide-ranging
programmes. These programmes include stage productions, creative
education for young people, free workshops and financial support of
artists, as well as festivals, publications, national recognition of
artistic and cultural achievement and the preservation of Caymanian
heritage, and arts and culture for future generations.