Playwright Says: Fangirls Are Powerful, Not Silly
Teenagers who love pop stars often face ridicule, but their passion can significantly impact the world. For instance, Harry Styles’ fans caused small earthquakes at his concerts, and Taylor Swift’s fans boosted the UK economy during her tour.
Yve Blake wrote a musical called “Fangirls” about this topic. It tells the story of Edna, a 14-year-old who loves a boy band similar to One Direction. The show explores why it’s okay to love something without feeling ashamed.
Blake got the idea in 2015 when Zayn Malik left One Direction. She saw fans crying on TV and noticed people calling them “crazy” and “hysterical.” She wondered why people don’t label male sports fans the same way.
The musical doesn’t just praise fans; it also looks at the downsides of celebrity worship. Blake calls it a “glittery Trojan horse” because it mixes fun with serious ideas.
“Fangirls” hit it big in Australia and now heads to London. Blake feels excited but nervous, wondering if British audiences will be as enthusiastic as Australian ones. The show encourages audience participation, turning the theater into a concert venue at one point.
Jasmine Elcock, a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, plays Edna. She’s a real-life fan, currently obsessed with Little Simz.
Blake admits she felt embarrassed to be a fan when she was younger. Now she realizes society often makes fun of things teenagers like, which caused that feeling. She wrote the musical to explore why that happens and to tell everyone it’s okay to be enthusiastic fans.
Critics have praised the show. Time Out gave it five stars, saying it captures the pain of being a teenager. The Guardian called it witty and said it balances social commentary with humor.
Overall, “Fangirls” celebrates the passion of young fans while examining the complexities of celebrity worship. It encourages people to embrace their excitement without shame, whether they’re teenagers or adults reliving their youth.
Re-reported from the article originally published in BBC.
