A new film titled 'Elsinore', which chronicles actor Ian Charleson's final performance as Hamlet, is set to premiere this weekend at Telluride. Directed by Simon Stone, the film stars Andrew Scott as Charleson, who was terminally ill with Aids when he took on the role in Richard Eyre's 1989 National Theatre production.
Charleson, who was 40 at the time, had previously played Hamlet 15 years earlier. Director Richard Eyre recalled Charleson's determination to reprise the role despite his declining health, a decision Eyre described as "an act of love for a friend."
The production ran for six weeks and was widely acclaimed. Charleson died on 6 January 1990, eight weeks after his final performance, and requested that Aids be recorded as the cause of death.
Andrew Scott, who himself played Hamlet 150 times in 2017, expressed his admiration for Charleson's courage. Critics and industry insiders are reportedly tipping Scott for a best actor Oscar nomination following early praise for his performance.