Transformation, transcendence, and temporality in theatrical consumption

Christina Goulding and Michael Saren

Journal of Business Research, 2016, vol. 69, issue 1, 216-223

Abstract: This paper proposes a framework for analyzing and understanding communal centered consumption based on the concept of ‘theater’. The focus of attention is the Gothic community, a consumer tribe that may be described as extraordinary and spectacular. Goths are also a group that has associations with the ‘dark’ side and in particular with the vampire. We draw on a longitudinal grounded theory study conducted at the bi-annual Whitby Goth festival in the North East of England which involved participation, observation, interviews, and videographic data. We examine the co-constructed experience of the festival and propose an analytical framework based on the fundamental concepts of theater. We suggest that theatrical co-construction may be understood in terms of three components: theater as ‘transformation’, theater as ‘transcendence’, and theater as ‘temporality’. This perspective also provides a novel approach for festival event management.

Keywords: Theater; Festival; Grounded theory; Co-construction; Goth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:69:y:2016:i:1:p:216-223

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.07.034

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