Welcome to Star Trekking, my weekly attempt to share points of interest and random intersections in the final frontier.
The ongoing thesis of this newsletter is that, whether you’re actively looking for it or not, Star Trek is everywhere.
This week it emerged from the mouth of Hugh Grant.
During his interview on Marc Maron’s podcast, Hugh Grant mentioned that in his early days he and some friends put on a production of “Hamlet in Star Trek costumes.”
Well.
How could I not immediately google that?
I discovered that he’d referred to it in past interviews, and that it seems to have taken place at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1980. But THAT’S ALL. I couldn’t find any additional details. And no journalists even did a cursory follow up! I have so many questions.
Whose idea was it? How did it come together? What other Trek touches were brought to the production? Was Hugh a Trek fan? Did he watch TNG? May we please see a photo?
But, alas, nothing.
If you have contact with Hugh Grant’s publicist, please let me know. I’d love to talk to him for ten minutes and find out what else he remembers.
Hugh Grant as Hamlet in a Star Trek costume. I would pay good money to see that.
I think we can take it for granted, though, that he did not perform the play in its original Klingon.
Some further study for you.
Shakespeare Texts as Intertext on Star Trek by Yvonne Jackel.
Shakespeare and Star Trek started a love-affair in the very first season of "Star Trek: The Original Series", and with the release of "Star Trek: Beyond" in 2016 we have been reassured that they are still going strong today.
Published on its 20th anniversary, this pre-"Voyager" master’s thesis includes TOS, "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country", TNG, the first four seasons of DS9 – and a new afterword which casts a glance at the latest developments in the Star Trek universe.
So, take out your quills and your communicators, and explore that great match made in space!
Here’s a great story about a superfan of the California Shakespeare Theatre. With no shows to see over the past year, he’s returned to one of his first loves - Star Trek.
This past summer, without Cal Shakes, he returned to “Star Trek,” coming to have a new appreciation for “Deep Space Nine.” Even if it has less battle action than some other “Star Trek” series, “You get a lot more character development, particularly if you watch it in sequence,” he says.
Fascinating.
TMP rescored with TOS music is still effective.
Our friend Charlie found a new lullaby.
Anybody going to be in Vegas on April 10 and can report back to us about this?
One day I want to go to Ticonderoga for the set tour. Until then, this will have to do.
Building a model of the Rio Grande.
I love Star Trek props, and here’s a look at some of the props from Disco season 3
And season 3 costumes.
This should be fun.
Maybe Dr. Phlox can make a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. (Thanks, Bonnie, for the photo!)
Ha!
Wanted.
DIRECTIVES
What is the fastest ship in Star Trek?
That’s all for this week. Thank you for reading.
Have you come across some random Trek this week? Let me know!
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Grok you later.
LLAP,
Hugh Grant in a Star Trek Uniform
Thank you so much for talking about Travelin’ Dr Phlox!! I can’t wait to take him EVERYWHERE!
Also yes, I would pay good money to see High Grant in a Trek uniform!!
- SFQ <3