- Patrick Stewart
Leave the action figures and television memorabilia at home. That’s the message the Royal Shakespeare Company is sending to science fiction fans as they head to Stratford-upon-Avon to see David Tennant and Patrick Stewart in the RSC’s new production of “Hamlet.”
Tennant plays the title role of Prince Hamlet while Stewart portrays Claudius and the Ghost of Hamlet’s father.
But both men are best known for their roles as some of science fiction’s greatest heroes. Stewart played Captain Jean-Luc Picard between 1987 and 2002 in the American television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and three subsequent Star Trek motion pictures. Tennant currently plays the Doctor in the BBC’s hit series Doctor Who.
David Tennant
So, the play’s producers have banned Doctor Who and Star Trek fans from bringing sci-fi merchandise to be signed by Tennant or Stewart at the stage door. Instead, the RSC will only allow programs and other official Hamlet merchandise to be presented for autographs.
The RSC announced the ban in a statement that reads, “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 apologise if this causes any disappointment.”
BBC Video - Click to Play - David Tennant talked to Andrew Marr in June about his new role as Hamlet
Previews of Hamlet began on Thursday, 24 July at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Courtyard Theatre. The production opens 5 August and runs through 15 November. It will transfer to London’s Novello Theatre, 3 December - 10 January.
Love’s Labour’s Lost, also starring David Tennant, plays in repertoire at The Courtyard Theatre from 2 October - 15 November 2008.
Web Resources:
The Telegraph: Doctor Who fans see David Tennant switch from Time Lord to Hamlet
