Catch Elsinore at Duke of York's Picturehouse

Andrew Scott stars in a moving biopic about Ian Charleson's final months, and the film is a celebration of queer resistance and creative expression. The movie tells the true story of Charleson's courageous performance as Hamlet despite his struggles with AIDS.

Dir: Simon Stone

Cast: Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, David Dawson, Matthew Beard, Joe Locke

111 mins · 2026 · Italy, United Kingdom, United States of America · Cert 15 · English

Rotten Tomatoes 89%

Cinecity 2026: Elsinore

15 Nov 2026

Duke of York's Picturehouse (Brighton)

Andrew Scott is known for his captivating performances, and in Elsinore, he takes centre stage as Ian Charleson, a renowned British actor who played Hamlet in a prestigious 1989 National Theatre production. • The film is a biographical drama that focuses on Charleson's performances as Hamlet in the final months of his life, and the odds he faced in preparing for and performing the role while seriously ill from AIDS. • With a talented cast, including Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, and Johnny Flynn, Elsinore is a celebration of queer resistance, individual and collective creative expression, and the passion of someone who remains dedicated to their art despite the challenges they face. • The film has received positive reviews from critics, with an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and is scheduled to be screened at the Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton on Sunday, 15 November 2026, with tickets on sale: say tickets are with the button beside the article.

The story of Ian Charleson's final months is a deeply emotional and inspirational one, and Elsinore brings it to life in a powerful and moving way. With its talented cast and crew, this film is a must-see for anyone interested in the arts and the human spirit. The Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton is the perfect venue to experience this film, and with tickets on sale, audiences can look forward to a memorable and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Stills

What viewers say

Brent Marchant · 8/10

When it comes to fulfilling a particularly grand, arduous goal, it’s often been said that “When there’s a will, there’s a way.” But, when faced with such conditions, how realistic is it that the objective will be reached, especially if the odds are stacked against us? Much depends on the determination of the individual involved, as becomes apparent in this new LGBTQ+ biopic from director Simon Stone. In 1981, London-based actor Ian Charleson…

Read on TMDB

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