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Trekkies and Dr Who geeks banned from RSC's new production of Hamlet
Last updated at 11:13am on 25.07.08
Doctor Who fans hoping to get an autograph from David Tennant at the stage door of the RSC production of Hamlet have been banned from bringing merchandise from the TV show.
Producers of the Stratford-Upon-Avon production of Hamlet, which stars Tennant as the Danish prince, have strictly forbidden Doctor Who memorabilia from being signed.
Doctor Who fans aren't the only ones who are up for disappointment, the RSC has also banned Star Trek fans from bringing merchandise for Tennant's co-star Patrick Stewart, who is playing both Claudius and the ghost in the play, to sign.
David Tennant is to star in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet. But Doctor Who fans brandishing memorabilia are not welcome
The production is set to open at the Courtyard theatre on August 5th and organisers anticipate a influx of fans from the two TV shows.
But spoilsports at the RSC have decreed that only their memorabilia be signed by actors Tennant and Stewart.
An RSC spokesperson said: 'Due to the huge amount of interest in the RSC's current production of Hamlet, only Royal Shakespeare Company or production related memorabilia will be signed by members of the company.
'It is very flattering that there is so much interest in this production, but the sheer volume of requests means that we need to set some limits which will be as fair as possible for everyone.'
Huge fanbase: Hamlet stars David Tennant (left) and Patrick Stewart (right) are expecting a lot of Doctor Who and Star Trek fans in the audience
Tennant has proved a big draw for the RSC with fans have been queuing overnight for return tickets for last night's opening performance of the three-month sell-out run. Tickets have also been selling for £215 on auction website eBay.
One fan told The Telegraph: 'I probably would have come anyway but his prescence gave me a spur
'He is such a good actor. He is dark and he has the madness in him as well.'
However, Tennant's appearance in the classical role has attracted its share of criticism.
Eminent director Sir Jonathan Miller hit out at the 'celebrity casting' of 'that man from Doctor Who'.
But Tennant, who before becoming a household name, starred in RSC productions in As You Like It, and The Comedy of Errors has said of appearing in the tragedy: 'Hamlet is often regarded as the acme of acting to test yourself against, which isn't a particularly helpful thought, to be honest.
'Of course it is flattering to be asked to that role because of everything attached to it.
'But once you get into rehearsal you have to relinquish thoughts like that and just try and tell the story.'
The production will move to London after the three-month run in Stratford.
Reader views (5)
I think it is good for young people like me to experince shakspeare and i want to say thank you for David Tennant and Patrick Stewart well done you are the best actors i know and i gave you my thanks
- Claire Nedzela, Ottawa
I've enjoyed the work of both actors in a variety of roles for years, but in fairness, it does them little good to spend this season imbibing and telling the story of Hamlet to an audience whose minds are fixed on how many minutes remain until they can get their artefacts signed, completely ignoring the enormity of the moment and any potential for its dialogue to penetrate in pursuit of a trophy. Here's to their persistence in storytelling for the sake of keeping Hamlet alive, even if only for themselves.
- Anna Caudill, Nashville, TN, US
Bravo, RSC. The entertainment world doesn't exist simply for the convenience of Trekkies, Whovians, ebay merchants and scalpers.
After a demanding performance, it's a bit rich to expect the actors would sign anything but a Hamlet program, if even that. Yes, it's really great that Tennant and Stewart have found fame in roles which will attract a new wave of interest in live performances. The theatre world needs newbies. But the payoff does not have to be actors having irrelevant material shoved under their noses at the stage door.
- Ana, Sydney, Australia
It's ok for the RSC to cynically employ actors they know will draw in an audience because they are 'famous on telly' - I can just imagine the conversations they have in those sales meetings as they try to work out how to increase bums on seats - then they ban the poor mugs who've turned up to see Dr Who from getting his signature on anything other than stuff they've bought from the RSC at a highly inflated price!
If someone has paid £40/50 for a ticket and has then bothered to queue backstage for ages then they should be able to have Dr Who sign their bum if they want to!
- Hat, London
Having worked for the RSC many years ago I think it's wonderful that those who would otherwise never see a Shakespeare play are brought to the theatre by the likes of Stewart and Tennant. Jonathank Miller seems to be of the mindset that those who leave the company and become individually successful should not be allowed back, both of these gentlemen have been RSC company members in the past and their contributions were welcome then, now they have the added advantage of introducing a new generation to classic theatre. Mr Miller stop being so precious. These "celebrities" keep the money flowing into the industry that has paid you handsomely.
- Steph, Ilford
