The article engages with Megan’s earlier research into the UK’s theatre blogging community, and its similarity to theatre fan communities which congregate on the website Tumblr.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (image: Manuel Harlan)

Using the example of the fandom which has grown around the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child since it opened in the West End in June 2016, Megan considers the practice of ‘show recapping’ as a developing form of fan theatre criticism, as devotees of the show make numerous repeat visits and dedicate many thousands of words to capturing every detail and nuance of individual performances. This community is also engaged in an important argument for the very form of theatre: while most existing Harry Potter fans have only been able to access the playtext for Cursed Child and found it to be a disappointing read compared to JK Rowling’s original novels, the Cursed Child mini-fandom have been working to save the reputation of the live experience.

This is just one element of Megan’s wider research into the shifting practices of theatre bloggers, who have often been considered mere fans or enthusiasts by those who wish to belittle amateur practices. Using a sociological approach adopted from Fan Studies, Megan’s research attempts to reevaluate the critical contributions of these important outsider critics.

Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.3983/twc.2018.1273