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Trekkies and ‘Doctor Who’ geeks can’t bring memorabilia to RSC’s ‘Hamlet’ production

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Leave your Sharpies and 8x10 glossies at home, trekkies, because The Royal Shakespeare Company just released a statement regarding the production of ‘Hamlet’ starring ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’s’ Patrick Stewart and ‘Doctor Who’s’ David Tennant today, stating that fans will not be allowed to bring any Dr. Who or Star Trek memorabilia to be autographed.

‘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. We apologize if this causes any disappointment.’

This news will no doubt break the hearts of trekkies and ‘Doctor Who’ fans making it out to this year’s performance of ‘Hamlet,’ but let’s examine the facts. There is a time and a place to dress in your finest Starfleet uniforms; classical theater is not that time. I’m sure the performers would prefer fans to go and appreciate their new roles and enjoy Shakespeare, rather than just be there to see a character they’ve played in the past.

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On the flip side, I am not entirely sure that RSC handled the heartbreak in the classiest of manners.

It is one thing to ban autograph requests entirely for logistical reasons. The same as it makes sense to limit autograph requests to 1 per person. Or if the actors themselves choose not to sign the memorabilia for whatever reason.

But the facts are, there’s no real difference between autographing a play brochure or signing a Star Trek TNG Picard as Locutus action figure, so the statement is more insulting than it ever should have been. How about you just say you want to keep the focus on actors and get your action figures signed at San Diego’s Comic-Con?

In slightly unrelated news, when I first found out that my two favorite leading men (ever) would be in ‘Hamlet’ -- myself, my boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend and their gorgeous, talented and single sister were all trying to plan a trip up to see this brilliant production. Only of course, it sold out at warp speed (Yeah, I said it). But if you want to make 3 ladies very happy, you could buy us 3 tickets on EBay and allow us to matchmake our boyfriend’s sister with David Tennant that would be marvelous. No? Fine be that way. I hope Picard smashes your DOLL like you did my dream and yeah I said it, Doll.

-- Christie St. Martin of Funny Pages 2.0

Photo Credits: ‘Doctor Who,’ BBC; ‘Star Trek: Enterprise,’ CBS Studios Inc.

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