Elsinore opens London Film Festival to ovation for Andrew Scott

Elsinore opened the 70th BFI London Film Festival at the Royal Festival Hall on October 7, drawing an emotional response from the audience and a standing ovation for lead actor Andrew Scott after the screening. The film portrays Scottish actor Ian Charleson and his final stage role as Hamlet at London’s National Theatre in 1989, while he was seriously ill with AIDS. Audience members were reported to have wept during the screening before applauding Scott as he appeared on stage. Scott also introduced people from Charleson’s life who are depicted in the film, including physician Dr Margaret Johnson, National Theatre staff members Linda Tolhurst and Ralph Mills, and director Sean Mathias. Johnson, who treated Charleson, received a particularly warm response, according to accounts of the event. Directed by Simon Stone and written by Stephen Beresford, Elsinore follows Charleson as he prepares for the Hamlet production. Charleson had become known internationally for his role in Chariots of Fire. He took over the title role after Daniel Day-Lewis left the National Theatre production, and received strong reviews for his performance.