Fans Banned From Bringing Trek Memorabilia To Stewart’s Play July 24, 2008
by Charles Trotter , Filed under: Merchandise, TNG, Trek Franchise , trackback
The Royal Shakespeare Company may want sci-fi fans to show up to see their production of Hamlet starring Star Trek The Next Generation’s Patrick Stewart and Doctor Who’s David Tennant, but apparently they don’t want fans to bring any of their stuff. Although they are allowing autographs, the producers have banned the signing of any Trek or Who memorabilia.
A lot of ’splainin’ to do
In a statement from the RSC, forbidding fans from bringing Trek or Who memorabilia for the play’s stars to sign is a necessary action.
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.
So for those of you hoping for Stewart to sign that Captain Picard action figure or wanting Tennant to sign that life-size replica of the Tardis, you’re out of luck. Let the complaints commence!
RSC deems these items contraband
[Source: The Daily Mail]
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seems ok to me
Just bring some X Men stuff!
So, I guess bringing my “Jeffrey” doll for Patrick Stewart to sign is okay, then.
;-)
If they need to ban autograph requests entirely for logistical reasons, that would make sense.
If they need to limit autograph requests to 1 per person, that would make every kind of imaginable sense.
If the actors themselves choose not to sign the swag, that would make sense (it would make me a bit sad, but it would make sense).
But since there’s functionally no difference between autographing a pad of paper and autographing an action-figure blisterpack, I can only assume they’re not being truthful when insisting that it’s necessary to be “fair for everyone.”
In other words, I do explicitly accuse them of lying. Just in case that wasn’t crystal clear.
What if u call you call them,,,,,,,”Shakespeare Action Figures” ??
Snobs . . . Bloody culture snobs.
When Stewart started working on Trek, all the English stage actors thought he was slumming it.
They’re probably jealous . . . Ian McKellen gained a lot more fans and love from people after being in movies like LOTR and X-Men, and Stewart obviously got the same deal from Trek.
Enjoy the production and leave the uniform at home.
Sebo, it seems ok to me as well.
Their production, their theater, their rules. And I agree with them 100%.
To the fanboys/girls who will inevitably whine about this: this isn’t a sci-fi convention, kids, it’s classical theater. It’s a mature, adult activity. Show the world that you are capable of having a little class and acting like grownups for once in your lives.
I have no problem with it. They’re there for Hamlet, not Trek or Who.
If I have Patrick Stewart sign my shaved head would that be interpreted as having a piece of Trek memorabilia signed? I mean maybe I did it to look like Picard.
Of course this is hypothetical, as having Stewart sign my cranium would make me a truly troubled person.
In more ways than one!
#8 Well said! If you as an adult bring your toys for signing at a classical play, then I’m afraid you have neither class or social intelligence.
I guess its also just respect for the performers. They’re there performing Shakespeare, not Star Trek or Doctor Who. I remember Patrick Stewart saying a while ago he doesn’t like people coming to his shows in Starfleet uniforms either; that’s the same thing. I’m sure they’d prefer fans to go there to appreciate what they’re actually doing and enjoy Shakespeare, rather than just be there to see a character they’ve played in the past.
For the record, I agree with the RSC’s decision, as well. A Shakespearan play just doesn’t seem like the proper environment for toys, games, and DVDs. It’s a stage play, not a convention.
Re: 12. DJ Neelix – July 24, 2008
“#8 Well said! If you as an adult bring your toys for signing at a classical play, then I’m afraid you have neither class or social intelligence.”
Bingo!
And What about X-Men, and possibly Dune (Gurney Halleck) fans? :D
I have to agree with the RSC. I can envision a balcony full of Klingons or clanking Daleks would be a bit distracting. This is probably a preemptive strike.
“only Royal Shakespeare Company or production related memorabilia will be signed by members of the company.”
Does this include Men in Tights memorabillia?
What about underpants that say “Shake Spear” on them? OK that just creeped me out.
Entering a theather with toys, uniforms and Trek stuff would make me feel like the dumbest man on Earth. There should be no need to ask ;-)
#17
They should “cloack” themselves in Mystique (womens, naturally). :D
Is it allowed entering as theater with goatee, evil smile, and cloak? :D
#8, #9, #12, #13, #14, #15, #17:
I agree wholeheartedly that the actual (though sadly unstated) goal is to keep the focus on the Bard. Hence my point above.
If they’d simply have the honesty to state the _real_ reason, there’d be nothing to say but “alas, but it does make perfect sense.”
But the lie is a cowardly lie, a weasely, childish, gutless lie. There’s nothing “classy” or “socially intelligent” about such a craven display (even if it does, of course, go perfectly with formal evening wear) ;)
Ok…let’s just say that you leave the toys at home. Can you wear a pair of homemade jean shorts , red suspenders, and a baseball cap with, “S$%% Happens” written on it?
And howabout your own Case of Strohs? It’s fire brewed, man! Fire Brewed! I’m not sure what that means really….other than it’s boiled beer, but they make a big deal about it on the can, man.
Here’s how someone with their tail NOT between their legs might write it:
“In an effort to preserve the intended tone and focus of the evening and prevent the event from becoming an impromptu science-fiction convention, we ask that attendees refrain from bringing non-Shakespeare memorabilia to the show.”
It’s a little thing called honesty, is all.
Anyone who takes Star Trek or Doctor Who memorabilia to the theatre with them need hitting over the head.
With a stick.
I agree, they’re not being honest. And it seems that they’re not using their heads. If they don’t want anything but Shakespeare fans to show, don’t mention who the actors are. And certainly don’t identify the actors with their most identifiable roles.
I certainly don’t fault the actors. And I understand that the RSC doesn’t want people showing up dressed up in Star Trek outfits, with Star Trek Posters etc. They don’t want this to be a sci-convention. But at the same time, aren’t they selling the show by mentioning Stewart and Star Trek and Tennant and Dr. Who?
I mean, I know there are plenty of folks who would go see a Shakespeare play because they genuinely have the desire to see a Shakespeare plays. I enjoy some of Shakespeare’s plays, myself. But the RSC sounds kind of guilty of wanting to have their cake and eat it too.
And for the record, I have never dressed like a movie character since the age of 9, I don’t buy action figures and toys because I am a man, and when I see someone famous, I usually leave them be. I might ask for an autograph, but probably not. Because they are people too and having to sign everything there is seems like a pain in the butt to me. I haven’t tried this one yet, but I always wanted to talk to a famous person as if they were just some regular joe on the street. Maybe pretend that I don’t even know them.
The statement said “…only Royal Shakespeare Company or production related memorabilia will be signed…”
I see no problem with that whatsoever.
It’s their show.
Re:14. Charles Trotter
“It’s a stage play, not a convention.”
True that, good sir!
To me it seems like people who show up there all decked out in their trek stuff are being disrespectful. Its like saying “hey, I dont give a shit about this play, I just care that youre Picard.” The guy’s an awesome actor and its good to step outside of the world of star trek every once in a while. Get something generic signed, that way u can still have his signature, but yeah, some people take it way too far to the point of being obnoxious.
I guess I am more or less on my own among those who disagrees with this.
Well, I’ll agree with everyone that it is their theatre and that they have the *right* to do what they want. But . . . That’s not to say what they do isn’t jerky.
#8). “. . . To the fanboys/girls who will inevitably whine about this: this isn’t a sci-fi convention, kids, it’s classical theater. It’s a mature, adult activity. Show the world that you are capable of having a little class and acting like grownups for once in your lives.”
So tell us, what constitutes a mature, adult activity? Is it the social acceptance? Being accepted by academia as a worthy course of study? The fact that the art is centuries old? “It’s classical theatre,” you say. I’m sure I’m not the only one here who has participated in theatre classes, or dealt with English professors, or hung out with theatre people and picked up on the unspoken notion that theatre (especially classical theatre) is due an immense amount of respect? Nay, a near-religious reverence?
What is stage-acting but a bunch of people pretending to be someone else? The only thing more adult about it is that a snob-culture has grown around it and people wear fine suits to the showings and try to appear to be the most culturally versed.
“Show the world that you are capable of having a little class and acting like grownups for once in your lives.” Alright . . . well . . . now that you’ve told us what a proper adult is. These fancy theatre types are no more adult that anyone else — Behind the suits and champaign and “knighthoods”, they are just like anyone else.
But then what do I know. In England, they DO give knighthoods to classical actors because, well gosh darn it, they are so great!
For the record, I’d never wear a Starfleet uniform to one of these things. Nor would I bring the other things, really. But that’s not because they banned it. If Patrick Stewart’s fine acting inspired a fan out there somewhere through the vehicle of “Picard,” I find it very condescending that this theatre would deny them the chance to get a Picard photo signed. Patrick’s classical acting experience has enhanced Star Trek, and Star Trek has touched the lives of many people.
Am I REALLY the only one who finds this kind of pretentiousness condescending?
Oh, also for the record . . . I do understand there are fans that take things too far and obnoxiously try to stand out. Anyone who really tries to stand out in any big way can be a problem, regardless if it is Trek stuff, or Who stuff, or anything else. I’m just saying . . . a well mannered person discreetly asking for an authographed photo to be signed shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
Geez, why would anyone do that to these actors? were they Dressed Like Klingons? that’s just wrong. And you wonder Why they Cringe when talking To some fans.
Here’s a crushing autograph story. There was an auction to having a personally guided tour of the Blade Runner set by Ridley Scott in California last month and I spent close to $4,500. But before the tour began, the very first thing they told us was that Ridley Scott doesn’t do autographs.
…
…
…
What the heck? Shouldn’t they have told us like in the auction itself? This just disappointed me to no end and the fact that they had video and camera crews shooting him while we were on the tour made me more upset because not once did they give us a group photo opportunity.
Since there were 10 spots for this auction, the one who spent the most was going to receive not one, but TWO AUTOGRAPHS from Ridley Scott in the end. I was so disappointed and insulted that I almost hurled that night.
Its all very condescending indeed.
I’ve actually got tickets to the show and I might dress up as Big Bird!
Not really of course.
But I am going to a different Shakespeare production of “As You Like It” in Norwich, UK and I am considering going dressed as Jean Luc!
Oh how the posh nobs will love me!
…..or possibly beat me to death with a stick!!!…..
Essentially not all fans are extreme and some of us do have a modicum social intelligence.
Even us English fans!!!!
Good! Ban the nerds, I say! If people are so myopically pathetic they have to take their Star Trek mags or inflatable Doctor Who sex dolls to a Shakespeare play, they deserve the wrath of Titus Andronicus!
Patrick Stewart is an actor, not Jean-Luc Picard and David Tennant is an actor, not The Doctor. Real world > Fantasyland!
Frankly, I think they’re quite right to do this. Considering that Stewart and Tennant have either just performed the entire evening or are about to, it must be very distracting to be plagued by a horde of fans wanting memoribilia signed from Star Trek and Doctor Who. And as someone said above it smacks of disrespect, only identifying these actors with those roles.
If you want their autograph does it matter if it’s on your Captain Picard bauble-head/Doctor Who pen wiper or a leaflet to the great play you just saw?
However in the spirit of wanton civil disobedience people should bring their X-men stuff, and are their toys of David Tennant in Harry Potter.
I imagine that would really piss Tennant off if you took a whole load of Harry Potter stuff for him to sign!
Or was that irony?
Seems absolutely fair to me, good on them.
easy..just take a dvd cover of something – turn it inside out and lay it inside the Hamlet program..Show Mr Stewart its the program then open it and have Mr Stewart sign the blank paper..then turn it round to show that hed just signed a First Conract dvd cover
run off laughing..as Patrick yells out to his PA ‘the line must be drawn here! this far no further!’
I suppose if you went to the show wearing one of those fancy dress uniforms from Star Trek Insurrection (You know, the very nice looking white ones) . . . nobody would be any wiser. It only appeared for a few minutes on screen, and would only be identifiable by the nerdiest of us, and Stewart. Otherwise, it would probably look like some kind of new sophisticated fashion from Germany . . . and hey, it may even start a trend! :P
http://www.shadowdalecreations.com/star-trek_insurrection_1.jpg (picture of the uniform. I hope it’s ok to post the link).
Seems fair enough to me, let’s hope they bar anyone from going in wearing a Star Trek uniform as well.
#41 Peter, that actually sounds more reasonable to me. I would think enforcing a dress code would be more appropriate than worrying about if someone brings in a photograph of Picard to be signed.
Really, what’s more disruptive?
I went to see Stewart doing his Christmas Carol in London in ‘93 when he was taking a break from TNG. In the audience crowd you could literally see and hear the sound effects of tricorder toys and phasers being waved in the air. Not during the actual performance but while we were waiting for it to start.
I will bring my Mattel Hamlet Action figures.
Over here in the UK it’s been stated that people were bringing bags of stuff for the two actors to sign which was then showing up on…ebay!
I’m not suprised that they wanted to stop that, these people are just Vultures who give star trek fans a bad name.
I’m pretty sure that any genuine fan of Patrick Stewart or Davide Tennant would be more that happy to have a signed copy of the plays program.
Er, isn’t it likely that they just don’t want people hauling stuff into the theater woth them?
I really think thay should just ban props and toys from the show (and enforce a proper dress code while we’re at it). I would feel very strange bringing a toy phaser to a stage play anyway.
Photographs however are a different matter. To specifically refuse to sign a Star Trek (or Dr. Who) photo but to be willing to sign a generic image strikes me as a snobby thing to do, especially as those shows play such a large part in getting the actors to where they are today.
As to the fear of it being on Ebay, there’s a very easy solution: just personalize the autograph; that drastically affects its collectability.
You’ve paid your money to see it. You should be able to get a Beatles album signed if you want to.
I think this ban is overblown. But on the other hand I believe that it’s not a compliment to Patrick Stewart or David Tennant to let him sign a Trek or Doc photo (or other stuff), because isn’t that like implicitly saying: ‘I know you and appreciate you as Captain Picard or The Doctor, and that’s what you are for me. I don’t care about what you are doing on stage.’
And that’s not exactly flattering. These two guys would like to be appreciated (or not) for their performances as Claudius and Hamlet.
I don’t like bans but maybe without it too many embarrassing situations would come up.
Leave your stuff at home… but bring your MONEY!!!!!
The next St con should ban any Hamelt memorabila from being brought in. Those annoying Hamletites!!!!
YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS:
…Some of you don’t like the fact that Trekkies are deemed socially awkward by the general public and you wish people would just accept you for who you are…
…yet you would still insist on bringing TREK toys to a Shakespeare play with Patrick Stewart and wonder why everyone there would shoot you dirty looks, or whisper/point/laugh behind your backs?
They’ll sign plastic Yorick skulls from the RSC gift shoppe then?
So I’ll be able to wear my official Hamlet codpiece and get it signed? Sweet.
So, if I read this right, this is “adult” theater so therefore, no Star Trek toys. Ok. So just bring “adult” toys. That should raise a few eyebrows, and make having them signed quite interesting.
:)
“#8 Well said! If you as an adult bring your toys for signing at a classical play, then I’m afraid you have neither class or social intelligence.”
Completely agree.
I’m REALLY surprised #8 Martin Pollard wasn’t warned for “trolling.”
The statement….
“To the fanboys/girls who will inevitably whine about this: this isn’t a sci-fi convention, kids, it’s classical theater. It’s a mature, adult activity. Show the world that you are capable of having a little class and acting like grownups for once in your lives.”
….was more condesending and offensive to this community than the theatre company’s decision to not autograph Trek stuff.
I understand the point that was being made…but to imply that the comments that follow #8 would be made by immature, whining kids who are hardly capable of showing any class is basically a slap in the face and i’m frankly surprised at the support that was thrown behind the comment.
Folks usually come to the defense of our Trek and Trek fans around here. I’ve never seen such a comment be taken so lightly.
For what it’s worth i agree with #29 #30 and especially TonyD #47
Fair play to them.
I went to a Star Trek convention dressed up as Lee Strasberg and they kicked me out. ;)
Someone should take a Doctor Who S3 boxset and get Tennant to sign the disc that contains the “Shakespeare’s Code” ep ;)
Who’s Lee Strasberg?
Just googled Lee Strasberg.
Sweet!
Regardless of whether it’s Hamlet, Who, or Trek, and regardless of any opinions on which of these works is more adlult-oriented than the others, it’s beyond apples and oranges to draw comparisons between a theatrical performance and a convention. They are different animals, and different actions are appropriate to each one.
I can see a ban on fans showing up in Trek or Who costumes and limiting autographs to just ONE to thwart the people who are just trying to cash in, but to dictate WHAT someone can have signed outside the theatre….well, not so much. Trek and Who are a major part of these actors’ fan bases.
I think number 8 hits the nail on the head, actually. If you want to wear a Star Trek or Doctor Who costume, save it for a convention!
The only people I feel sorry for are the bouncers. If they wear leather jackets to the performances, they run the risk of being barred for dressing like Christopher Eccleston’s ninth Doctor! ;)
hmmmm…
From personal experience I can see tha’ theatre’s point… way back when, Mr. Clint Eastwood wuz shuffling through me town on some such show… I wuz eager ta’ have his autograph and a keepsake, so I pulled me .44 caliber revolver out, requestiung it ta’ be signed by him…
coppers were called, security tackled me, tha’ show wuz cancelled and tha’ local news reported that “indeterminate number of armed individuals, possibly a gang, accosted the actor Clint Eastwood today, disrupting his role as Tiny Tim in “A Christmas Carol”…
so, ye’ bring these keepsakes wit’ ye’ and cause such unrest and chaos and fear! I knows! I wuz thar’!
Soooo… since they only allow RSC memorabilla, bring a vial o’ ear poison ta’ sign…. or tell them yer .44 caliber is Hamlet’s “bare bodkin”…
“Why this is just the phazor Kirk used to secure Kodos /King Lear…”
Arrrrrrr…
On a side note, why do people bother with autographs? I’ve never quite understood that. It’s just a name on a piece paper. It means nothing unless the person in question has signed a contract you’ve handed over to him/her. I’ve met both the former prime minister of my countrey as well as my biggest idol in music, but I felt no desire to ask for their autographs, that would just feel awkward. I shook their hands, chatted a bit and moved on with my life.
Nobody wants my autograph because it’s just a name. If I was famous then all of a sudden that written name would be important. Ridiculous.
#66
I supposed people feel it’s some sort of “proof” that the famous person touched a particular item. Or proof that they met a famous person. Its basically like saying, “Look! Patrick Stewart was here and I can prove it!”
I’m with you though…having the experience of a brief encounter with a famous person i admire is far more important/rewarding than being able to “prove” it later with an autograph. The memory is good enough for me.
That is one of the dumber things I’ve heard in awhile. As has been pointed out by many–what is the difference between signing a TNG picture, or a piece of paper?
I need something that has thar’ DNA on it so I can continue on wit’ me army o’ celebrity clones I makes in me cellar…
Anthony – Dr. Randy Pausch, who has been talked about on this site before and who appeared in the new film, died today at the age of 47.
Good!
I agree that this sort of thing is inappropriate. Maybe they weren’t honest about their reasons, but they’re probably just trying to save everyone’s feelings. Think for a moment. Showing up for the play in costume or bearing silly toys IS disrespectful in a way and only reinforces the stereotype that people who appreciate this kind of entertainment are incapable of conducting themselves properly under any circumstances. If you must, think of it as showing up for a convention with the wrong theme or something.
News link about the Last Lecture Professor’s passage
http://www.tmz.com/2008/07/25/last-lecture-professor-has-died/
To the RSC,
“Be careful what you wish for….” – Nyota Uhura, STIII
People wonder why the British are stuffy.
Stuffy? Why’s I’ll cram me crumpet down yer’ bloody gullet, mate…
but first I must put on me white gloves, make sure I am wearing tha’ approproate mid-day attire, check tha’ caligraphy on my formal request ta’ you ta’ cram tha’ crumpet, and then … watch out, mate!!!!
If I show up with Jolene Blalock as my date, does that count as Trek memorabilia?
Cool, I’m in the clear- if I manage to get tickets I’ll be okay asking Patrick Stewart to sign my Sejanus action figure.
#76 -AJ- at which convention did you manage to pick up that piece of memorabilia?
cuz seriously, that’s pretty cool.
In regards to John from Cincinnati and BND:
I think there has been a misunderstanding. I think John was referring to the fact that most British folk suffer from runny noses and cough due to cold. It’s the darn weather in England. Plugs up the sinuses. Makes ‘em all stuffy.
Anyone else remember the Hamlet action figure from MST3K? Good times, good times.
I love how most of the time people here are defending Trek as a great social comentary, timeless, a vison of hope for the future worthy of the adulation that adults give it. If a media outlet calls Trek childish or silly the Bastille is set to be razed, but when we speak of the RSC, all of a sudden, showing some pride in Trek by bringing a Trek photo or small memoribilia to be signed is childish??? The statement is not about doning Trek garb and parading around, its banning simple memoribilia to be signed. its insulting because they are happily reaping the rewards that Trek and Who is giving them (if you think either actor would be the name and the draw they are without their respective series you are fooling yourself) but they hypocriticaly bane even tasteful items to be signed? its the hight of condesending behavior and for some reason many here are happily backing it.
Well said Myrth! Myrth is King.
My question, Myrth, is who would get to make the judgment call on what’s a tasteful item and what isn’t? And who would be paid to sit there and deal with all the inevtiable arguments of, “My action figure is only a few inches taller than that guy’s, and he got to bring his in! No fair!” I can’t blame the RSC one bit for not wanting to get into that sort of thing.
Also, it’s just not something that’s generally done at plays, no matter who’s in them. The only reason it’s even being brought up as something people MIGHT want to do is because of the Trek/Who connection. It’s like, I wouldn’t normally tell people not to wear stovepipe hats to the cinema, but if the President of the wildly popular International Stovepipe Hat Society was starring in a new movie, I’d probably make some sort of announcement banning them in the auditorium.
Shoot, and I was planning on bringing my 10-ft high Christmas tree with Star Trek ornaments to the play, in order to get Patrick Stewart to sign each Hallmark ornament.
Hmm, what to do, what to do.
It’s obvious the RSC is just a business, and they want you to buy a program for signing, and not bring in your own stuff. Problem is, the programs are also now Trek/Who memorabilia.
Obviously, the best course of action is for EVERYONE to show up with memorabilia for signature.
83 … or conversely, like how cinema managers had ta’ remind folks ta’ wear clothes when they went and saw “Showgirls”…
I have no Trek memorabilliantoys… nothin’ at all… can’t one paste tha’ autograph on their doll package at a latter date?
I kids cuz I loves…
LOL The ISHS. Also very well said Underpants Monster!
Logisitcs of measuring action figures aside…i still argue for the reasonable prinicple of the matter. Who cares what’s on the photo or piece of paper that’s being autographed. If its Star Trek…what does it matter? Every 8×10 glossy is the same even if Patrick Stewart is in Star Trek costume.
No costumes. No toys. But cmon….trek photos should be permitted.
#83 I would imagine they would police size of signed material the same way they have to now. I doubt that they let people with RSC standees or peices of old sets or costumes get them signed for logistical reasons. In essence, there really is no logistical difference between someone over doing Shakespeare memoribilia and someone over doing Trek or Who memoribilia, they have to watch out for that kind of stuff anyway. And signing at plays is generally done at plays and yes there are ushers and door men that are paid to make sure that it goes well. In short, the RSC is making a predjudised call based on their assumptions about Trek fans, and calling it logistics.
How about if I brought in a racy picture of Darth Vader? It wouldn’t be Trek memorabilia. Could he sign that?
#29: “Am I REALLY the only one who finds this kind of pretentiousness condescending?”
Oh, god no, and it’s especially silly when we’re talking about Shakespeare (didn’t you see my jab about cowardice and formal evening wear being a good match)? :)
For my own part, I just focused my comments on the lie because the lie is such a snively-worm sort of lie, and because, well, frankly, a snooty show in a snooty venue will, inevitably, be snooty … but it doesn’t _have_ to be dishonest.
#90 – so because it’s Shakespeare it’s snooty?
I agree with the decision, agree it was poorly phrased, but hold no ill will against the RSC for failing to communicate their goals effectively.
However, some of the posters in HERE are being downright snobbish.
#90: No, it’s certainly not Shakespeare’s fault :)
#92: They communicated their goals effectively. Just not honestly. They lied.
#93 Agreed, we should NEVER blame The Bard! ;)
It never occurred to me that there might be a large group dressed as Klingons in the balcony during Hamlet – but I confess, I’d go to that showing to see that! :) And take pictures of the audience in intermission.
While I’ve never had the urge to dress Trek, I’ve often been entertained watching those who do (actors/fans) -seeing a bunch of serious Shakespeare fans dressed as Klingons, standing in line to get their Hamlet program signed would be a serious incentive for me to go to this play.
:D
Oh brother. Go see the production like an adult, for crying out loud. It must be a pain in the neck for actors to deal with this goofiness. I like Star Trek, but I put such things in perspective. If you want to honor someone, go honor the folks toiling away on a cure for cancer or go to an airport and welcome troops home from the battle.
#88 – I’m a regular theatergoer, and I can honestly say that that bringing odd play-related stuff is just something people tend not to do, so there wouldn’t BE any process in place to monitor it.
I have no problem with banning Trek memorabilia. This isn’t a Star Trek or Dr. Who convention. You are there to see the actors play Shakespearean roles… unless you are just there for the purpose of getting your toy autographed.
Think about it in reverse: How would you feel if someone came to your Trek convention and had a picture of Patrick Stewart in a non-Picard role and wanted it autographed? Wouldn’t you say to that person “This isn’t Shakespeare time” or something along those lines to them?
Those actors aren’t in those plays b/c they are interested in reaping more benefits for Star Trek. They are trying to reap benefits from other work. They would far more appreciate you telling them how wonderful they did in the play rather than how they as Picard inspired you.
This thread shows terrific class from many posters. Nice work. :)
My opinion, if redundant (on this thread) by now…
Showing up at a none-fan event as if it was… is rude to all those who came to see something else. get it?
Really, when I go to see Shakespeare I don’t’ wanna see some ass in a Trek uniform. And in the future, I’d love to see a P. Stewart King Lear. Don’t mess it up for me.
Show some class people (as many of you have). Weird, this a so much more reasonable forum that TrekBBSS posts. *chuckle*
#98. No, actually I don’t think any of us here would be upset if someone showed up to a convention with Non-Trek stuff to be signed. If someone wants to take an X-Men or a Stage-relate product to a convention, let them.
Also, everyone is suggesting that these people are coming to the play JUST to get their “toy autographed.” Why do you think it has to be that way? Many of you are portray Trek fans as one-dimensional freaks who are ONLY interested in Trek. I have more faith in “our kind” than that . . . I heavily suspect that many of us would LOVE to see Stewart light up the stage and throughly enjoy the play . . . so what if we were lead to love his acting through our *ahem* “Childish” show?
Then again, many classical theatre types wouldn’t consider our kinds capable of thoroughly enjoying their classy and sophisticated thheeeatah performances. After all, they are better than actors. They are thespians! For Sooth!
I’ll leave this with one final thought . . . “You haven’t heard Shakspeare until you’ve heard it in the original Klingon,” -General Chang.
Ah, but what happens if you bring a replica prop from TNG’s “Emergence,” when Picard and Data are staging “The Tempest?”
A loophole? ;-)
A fine loophole indeed!
Let’s also not forget “The Defector,” wherein Stewart and Spiner as Picard and Data perform Henry V in the Holodeck.
Oooh, and even better . . . what about in Time’s Arrow when the crew were trapped in the US in the 1800s and work under the guise of being an acting troupe. They rehearse A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
I think it would be terribly fun to take a Star Trek photo of Stewart playing Picard playing a Shakespeare character. I dare say even the snootiest of RSC actors would have to give a chuckle at that. Seems to be something befitting good olde English humour. :)
Honestly, I’m surprised either one is signing anything at all when potentially faced with folks like the one mentioned in this article:
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/goss/view/26302/I-need-to-see-the-doctor-/
I have no doubts that the woman mentioned in the article and the eBay-mongers are the chief reasons for the ban.
Hopefully they bring Hamlet to the Brooklyn Academy of Music like they did with MacBeth. That being said, despite Patrick Stewart’s part in Star Trek history, he was a Shakespearean actor LONG before TNG came around. It wouldn’t be right for a member of the audience to make it blatantly clear they only care about a small portion of Stewart’s career.
Whenever there’s signing opportunities there are always rules. I remember when Leonard Nimoy did the book tour for the Alien Voices CDs, the rules for the appearance were he was ONLY signing Alien Voices and I am Spock.
Barnes and Noble had a limit on how many books (and which ones) that Neil Gaiman would autograph when he was doing the book tour for Anansi Boys.
The RSC rules are no different in my mind.
Hey, I love TREK as much as the next guy but as someone who works backstage on B’way, (and have actually met Mr. Stewart) I completely agree with the idea. I worked at cat on a hot tin roof recently and everyday there would be several “collectors” who were actually just ebay sellers lining up to try and get james Earl Jones’ autograph on TONS of Star Wars memorabilia. These people did NOT buy a ticket to the show, had no interest in what JEJ the actor was doing currently and were just trying to get as many items signed as possible before Mr. Jones became exasperated. To his credit he actually did sign quite a bit. But he knows they will most likely go right on Ebay afterwards.
It is very rude and inconsiderate behavior.
Also, buying a ticket to a performance does NOT guarantee you an autograph. If the actors feel like it, it’s up to them. But it is NOT included as part of the ticket purchase price. They are signing something for a patron to be considerate. When someone rushes up with a bunch of memorabilia from 20 years ago, it just basically smacks of, “I know you’re acting in this but I REALLY dug you in (earlier stuff)…”
The theatre and the stage door is not the local comic-con.
It has nothing to do with whether one thinks that say, TREK was BENEATH Mr. Stewart. I’m sure at the premiere of a TREK film or at a convention he would have been more than happy to sign some TREK related stuff.
And the idea of showing up dressed in Star Trek uniforms to see a non TREK related show? I’m sorry but that’s just asinine.
These are the people that give the fans of a particular franchise called Star Trek …. a bad name.