Interview: Supporting the Global Majority

Chris Fung talks open night, collaborative community and fundraising

Fun Guy Theatre is an exciting new theatre company operating in London. Helmed by Chris Fung, they’re causing quite a splash with their ambitious and bold style of theatre. The company had a dramatic hit earlier this year with Chris’s self-penned and performed production The Society for New Cuisine that ET reviewed (4 stars from us!) at Omnibus Theatre, and which has been offered a Chichester Festival transfer for 2027. He’s currently working on his next show Global Majority which will play in September 2026, and he has been developing another new piece, Frank and Jen, with Soho Theatre to play 2027 and onwards.

With all this going on, this month they are running a FUNGDRAISER (get it??) at the Omnibus Theatre for their exciting projects, and we were curious to find out more.

Hi Chris. Thanks so much for taking the time to tell us about Global Majority and the bespoke evening you’re planning. Firstly, can you share a little of what this particular play is about?

What if Meghan Markle was subjected to the most brutal job interview of her life at the onset of her dating Prince Harry?

What if the Royal Family are part of a globe-controlling cabal?

What if despite the Netflix Specials and the Oprah interview, and Prince Harry’s book, the Royal Family and Meghan had colluded for Meghan to announce a bid for the next American Presidential race as the Democratic Nominee, and –

What if Meghan Markle was an Asian American man named Brian?

Global Majority is a political thriller that explores racism, power and the lengths people go to protect it – and it is also live accompanied by a Jazz Drummer!

Excitingly, this play is shortlisted for the inaugural Ilfeld Prize, one of the wealthiest playwriting prizes in the UK, which provides winners with 5k GBP in prize money, a book publishing deal, industry mentorship and professional development. Our fingers are crossed!

How did you get Global Majority off the ground initially and where are you at with it now?

The Arts Council provided us a 30k GBP grant to run a development in April 2024 at Attenborough Arts Centre, and at Norden Farm Maidenhead. Fun Guy is really looking forward to expanding our relationship with the Midlands/Regional UK. Since then, we have found a LOT of industry support and interest in the show.

I began writing the script while backpacking across America. I had stopped in a little dusty town called New Orleans, spending most of my nights at Preservation Hall – one of the bedrocks of Dixieland Jazz, and wandering about the plantations there, soaking up the history of racism that built America.

I was also reading President Obama’s memoir A Promised Land, which documents his rise and first presidency, and I thought, what are the reasons that allow candidates without profile, without the right upbringing, to be placed in positions of institutional power? Obama was the first Black president. Why? How did he pass through gates firmly shut against every one of Obama’s predecessors?

A Promised Land details a sequence where President Obama meets with every Black politician senior to him in profile and longevity, and he says to each, stand aside, there can be only one, and it is better that it is me, will you lend me your support? And one by one, they do. I thought, that’s kind of what it’s like being an ESEA/Global Majority creative.

One of the more prominent Off-West End theatres has given us a slot for September 2026, and we are beginning to pull together an extraordinary team helmed by Rupert Hands. Rupert is a longtime collaborator of Jamie Lloyd, but also recently worked with Ramin Karimloo on Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in the West End and Japan, and he has some really exciting plans sketched in over the next few years. He is also associate and resident director on the global smash Evita on the West End starring Rachel Zegler, and before that Sunset Boulevard on both West End and Broadway, starring Nicole Scherzinger, so it’s amazing to have him on the team. His star is on the rise!

Tell me about this FUNGDRAISER you are throwing. What can we expect?
It’ll be an industry night for bright eyed humans! As part of it, I will be hosting a Q&A with Rupert, who is slated to direct both Society and Global Majority.

We have a tremendously capable and talented MD, Rachel Blaquiere – who we will provide with unlimited wine. She will sight-read and accompany singers, this tremendous talent, while getting progressively more drunk.

We have performances from a champion barbershop quartet, first chair musicians from West End pits, Spoken Word poets, and Tango dancers! There’s really going to be something for everybody.

Why choose this format to raise the profile of your show?

Fun Guy Theatre is going to be running a bunch of these community events over the coming years. They’re chances for like-spirited creatives who want to build momentum to gather and play. It’s scary to reach out into the community and ask for support so having fun is important.

It’s important to me to show up for my friends – to see when they are building things with their whole damn spirit, and to support them. Not because I like my friends – goodness no! But because, selfishly, if I give them momentum and inspiration, I get double in return. It’s the most magical thing. The more I spend time with bright eyed humans, the more WE share intent and purpose, the more EVERYBODY has.

It’s almost enough to convince me to go down to the shops to grab loaves of bread and fish.

Your last play was at the Omnibus. Do you have an affinity with this space?

Artistic Director Marie McCarthy and the Omnibus occupy this powerful position in the London Community. They are truly committed to the idea of uplifting theatrical experimenters, community artists, writers and directors and actors of the coming generation.

I think the building is very, very special and I know Marie has big plans for expansion over the coming years. Keep an eye on them! They are moving!

What are you hoping will come out of the event?

FUNGDS!

Thanks so much to Chris for telling us about this fun collaborative event. The Fung and Friends Fun Guy Fundraiser takes place on Thursday 11 September from 6:30pm-10pm at The Omnibus Theatre.