The Power of Fangirls: A New Musical Celebrating Teenage Female Pop Fans
From causing seismic activity at Harry Styles concerts to boosting the UK economy during the Eras Tour, teenage female pop fans have shown their undeniable power. Playwright Yve Blake has taken inspiration from these passionate fans and created a new comedy musical called Fangirls.
The musical follows the story of 14-year-old Edna, who is obsessed with a boy band resembling One Direction. It explores the concept of loving something without apology and challenges the stereotypes often associated with fangirls.
Yve Blake came up with the concept for Fangirls in 2015 after witnessing the reaction of teenage girls when Zayn Malik left One Direction. She noticed the negative labels placed on these fans and questioned the double standard compared to male sports fans.
The musical premiered in Australia in 2019 and has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of teenage life and the empowerment of young girls. Now, Fangirls is set to make its debut at the Lyric theatre in Hammersmith, west London.
Lead actress Jasmine Elcock, known for her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, plays the role of Edna in the musical. As a self-proclaimed fangirl herself, Elcock relates to the emotions and experiences portrayed in the play.
Fangirls not only celebrates the passion of teenage female pop fans but also delves into the darker side of celebrity worship. It encourages audiences to embrace their excitement and let go of societal judgments.
For Yve Blake, Fangirls is a way to challenge the stigma surrounding fangirls and empower young girls to love what they love without fear of judgment. The musical promises to be a glittery trojan horse, balancing social reflections with a loving twinkle in its eye.
