Theater criticism, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," and online community

Authors

  • Megan Vaughan Royal Holloway, University of London

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3983/twc.2018.1273

Keywords:

Blogging, Fans, Fan studies, Tumblr

Abstract

After summarizing initial research into the UK's theater blogging communities, I present some early observations about amateur theater critics writing from within and outside fandom. From my multiple perspectives as Tumblr user, blogger, theater fan, and academic, I consider the way those who respond to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2016) on Tumblr display similar behaviors to those who maintain general theater review blogs, with both groups appearing to organize and distinguish themselves according to strict codes of ethics, ways of working, and markers of taste.

Author Biography

Megan Vaughan, Royal Holloway, University of London

PhD researcher looking at 'outsider' theatre criticism using a fan studies approach.

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Published

2018-09-15

Issue

Vol. 28 (2018): The Future of Fandom

Section

Symposium

License

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