Trekkies and Dr Who geeks banned from RSC's new production of Hamlet

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.