Robin Williams fans want Nintendo to name a character in the next instalment of its popular Legend of Zelda series after the Oscar-winning actor, who died last week. There are more than 100,000 signatures on an online petition calling for the Japanese gaming giant to honour the renowned comedian and avid gamer, who appeared in numerous Nintendo commercials. Williams was a huge fan of the Zelda series, even naming his daughter after its titular princess. "Robin Williams was loved at Nintendo," the company's American unit said. "We appreciate the outpouring of support from the gaming community and hear the request of fans to honour him in a future game. We will not be discussing what might be possible for future games during this difficult time, but we will hold our memories of Robin close." A spokesman in Tokyo said that "nothing has been decided, but we won't rule out the request". The designer of another video game, World of Warcraft, has already said that Williams will be honoured as a character in the game. – AFP
A Lannister always pays his debts ... to New York theatre
Tyrion Lannister is launching an assault on New York theatre. The Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage is to star as Rakitin in an off-Broadway production of Ivan Turgenev's A Month in the Country. It will be his first theatre performance since 2007. He's not the only star of a high-profile television show in the cast of the Classic Stage Company production – he'll be joined by Taylor Schilling from Orange Is the New Black, who will play Natalya. The play, scheduled to debut on January 9, will be directed by Dinklage's wife, Erica Schmidt. The story is set on a country estate in 1840s Russia and deals with a bored, older, married woman who falls for a younger man, her son's tutor, who is idolised by the woman's vulnerable ward. Meanwhile, the older woman is worshipped by a long-suffering admirer. – AP
Material girl memorabilia up for sale
Madonna memorabilia will go on sale in November at an auction that will also include famous outfits, lyrics and risqué photographs. The Marilyn Monroe-inspired gown and jewellery that she wore in her 1984 Material Girl music video is up for grabs, said Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills. Fans will also be able to bid on some of the awards won by Madonna, as well as handwritten notes on concert choreography and working lyrics. The personal and professional collection also includes a day planner from 1988 in which Madonna jotted down notes on everything from dates with her husband at the time, Sean Penn, to an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. Outfits that Madonna wore in movies such as Evita, A League of Their Own and The Next Best Thing will also be on offer. The auction, with price estimates from US$600 (Dh2,200) to $40,000, will take place on November 7 and 8. – AFP
