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]
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!!!!!