Adapting for the Stage - Workshop with Chris Fung

Workshop for aspiring or emerging playwrights: How we adapted 80 Days for a 4-hander Actor-Muso Open-Air tour across the UK.

In this hour-long workshop, Award-Winning playwright Chris Fung will guide participants through the central processes that guided his crafting of Alfresco Actors' Open Air touring script for their production of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. Suitable for aspiring or emerging writers interested in adapting classics for the stage or for plays with song.

If you have any access requirements for attending the workshop then please email: gabbie@gabriellasills.com

Chris Fung (He/Him)

Chris Fung is an award-winning writer and performer from Sydney.

Chris’s play FRANK AND JEN won Soho Theatre's 2026 Tony Craze Award and is currently in development with Rupert Hands attached to direct. His play GLOBAL MAJORITY, winner of the inaugural 2026 Ilfeld Prize, will receive its debut London production in 2026 at the Bush Theatre in the inaugural season of AD Taio Lawson, with support from ACE, and Rupert Hands directing. Chris’s actor-muso adaptation of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS will tour the UK in 2026, directed by Tara Noonan.

Chris's other work includes THE SOCIETY FOR NEW CUISINE, dir. Rupert Hands, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023 before transfering to Omnibus Theatre and Norden Farm in 2025. The production received the OffWestEnd Assessor’s Choice Award 2025, alongside multiple OFFIES nominations including Best Performance Piece. It was also nominated for five Fringe Theatre Awards including Best New Play and Best Production.

Chris is an alumni of the Criterion Theatre New Writing Programme (2026), Soho Theatre Writers’ Lab (2025/26), New Earth Writers (2025), and the ATG Musical Theatre Writers Programme (2026). He has received commissions by Rafia Hussain Productions, and Gabriella Sills Productions. Chris is currently an Affiliate playwright for Pint-Sized Theatre. Chris has been longlisted for the Pentabus Jerwood Associate scheme.

Chris is the founder and director of Fun Guy Theatre Productions, and is the Director of Camino Meets, a free dramaturgical development community for low socioeconomic London Playwrights.

Chris is represented by Kelly Knatchbull at Sayle Screen for his writing. Chris is represented by Kristian Evans at Carlton West Artists for his performance.

As Writer:
The Society for New Cuisine dir. Rupert Hands (EdFringe ‘23, Omnibus ’25); Global Majority dir. Rupert Hands debut run at the Bush Nov ‘26; Frank and Jen dir. Rupert Hands- in development. Around the World in 80 Days dir. Tara Noonan (UK Tour '26), Those Who Can’t Teach - in development.

As Performer:
Cyrano de Bergerac dir. Jamie Lloyd (West End and NT Live), Evita dir. Jamie Lloyd (Regents Park), Frozen dir. Michael Grandage (West End), Your Lie in April dir. Nick Winston (West End), The Society for New Cuisine dir. Rupert Hands (Ed Fringe, Omnibus), The King and I dir. Chris Renshaw (Australia Tour)

Writing Schemes and Awards:
Tony Craze Award Winner 2026 (for Frank and Jen)
The Ilfeld Prize Winner 2026 (for Global Majority)
Offies Assessor’s Choice 2025 (for The Society for New Cuisine)

Criterion Theatre New Writing Program ’26; Soho Theatre Writers Lab 25/26, New Earth Writers 25, ATG Musical Theatre Writers ‘26, Offies Assessor’s Choice 2025, 5 Fringe Theatre Award Nominations, OffFest Best Solo Show Nom 2023 (for The Society for New Cuisine); Rafia Hussain Productions Early Commission (for Frank and Jen); Affiliate Playwright Pint-Sized Theatre; Pentabus Jerwood Associate Longlist; Junior Member - League of Independent Producers. Ransack Theatre Company Associate Playwright 26/27

Alfresco Actors

Alfresco Actors brings the magic of live theatre to the great outdoors, transforming stunning open-air venues into stages under the sky. From classic heartwarming adaptations to witty farces, we have a commitment to captivating storytelling, toe-taping tunes, and unique settings, creating unforgettable experiences that celebrate the beauty of nature and the power of theatre. As a female-run company, founded by a Durham University graduate, the company unites like minded creatives who are passionate about making high-quality theatre.