Johnny Daley makes theatre comeback in Pablo Hoilett comedy Brazen To Di Bone

Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley, the actor and comedian widely known to Jamaican audiences, is heading back to theatre in Brazen To Di Bone, a new comedy produced by Pablo Hoilett. The role ends an absence of close to three years from the stage and comes shortly before Daley marks 40 years in entertainment.

Daley’s most recent stage appearance was in the 2022 premiere of Pitchy Patchy. “I'm feeling proud of it,” Daley told The Gleaner. “I'm happy to be alive. It's a humbling feeling, mostly, to know that I've been given an opportunity to perform and entertain for my people and they've accepted me as one of their own.”

He said theatre was not part of his immediate plan for 2026, as he had been concentrating on stand-up comedy, producing comedy shows and helping to find fresh talent in that space. “I wasn’t expecting to be in a play this year. I was looking forward to continuing my journey as a standup comedian and a standup comedy producer, and unearthing new talent in that area...But when Pablo called me, I thought well, maybe this is the calling or the push I needed to do theatre another time,” Daley explained.

Brazen To Di Bone opens on June 5 at The Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston. Daley appears alongside Donald ‘Slashie’ Anderson, Peter ‘Maestro’ Heslop and Joan ‘Kenzie’ McKenzie in the high-energy comedy.

Hoilett, who both produces and directs the show, has built the story around lies, fake claims for government benefits and the confusion that follows when a government investigator turns up without warning.

Hoilett said Daley was a natural fit for the production. “Jamaican audiences appreciate comedy that feels real and familiar, and that is something Johnny is known for and perfected over the years. Alongside him we have an excellent cast with tremendous chemistry, and everybody brings something special to the stage,” he said.

“We wanted to create a production that allows people to forget their stress for a few hours and simply enjoy themselves – and Brazen to Di Bone does just that. It is pure laughter from beginning to end,” Hoilett added.

Daley has long been regarded as one of Jamaica’s most instinctive comic talents. His return is expected to heighten interest in a show already attracting attention among local theatre fans.

The production has been promoted as a “riotous romp” and “a brilliantly crafted comedy in a class of its own”. It is being positioned as an evening packed with laughter, lively characters and the direct Jamaican humour associated with Hoilett’s stage work.