# Andrew Scott On Elsinore's Heart and Humor

> Andrew Scott explains why Elsinore's humor makes it so moving despite Ian Charleston's terminal illness.
- Title: Andrew Scott On Elsinore's Heart and Humor · Vanity Fair
- Summary: Andrew Scott explains why Elsinore's humor makes it so moving despite Ian Charleston's terminal illness.
- Keywords: elsinore, andrew scott, billie piper, stephen beresford, ian charleson, hamlet, aids, screening room, vanity fair, lacma
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/andrew-scott-elsinore-billie-piper-screening-room
- Author: Kara Warner
- Published: 2026-11-14T05:01:00.564+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: elsinore, andrew scott, billie piper, stephen beresford, ian charleson, hamlet, aids, screening room, vanity fair, lacma
## Andrew Scott on Elsinore's humor
Andrew Scott says Elsinore has humor as much as heart, making it moving despite Ian Charleston's terminal illness.

> The most singular thing about our film i think is the humor in it
## Ian Charleson's courage
Ian Charleson faced AIDS while performing Hamlet, showing insane courage and not wallowing in tragedy.

> He was insanely courageous
## Billie Piper's preparation
Billie Piper used Beresford's script and real stories to prepare for her role as Patsy.

> I've spoken to a few members of the family, their friends
## Stephen Beresford's role
Stephen Beresford knew about Ian Charleson's legendary Hamlet performance before writing Elsinore.

> The story of ian, and ian's hamlet is legendary in the british theater
## Andrew Scott's Hamlet experience
Andrew Scott performed Hamlet 150 times starting in 2017 before filming Elsinore.

> Andrew scott famously played hamlet onstage 150 times beginning in 2017
## The film's relevance
Elsinore shows how art from 400 years ago remains relevant to today's struggles.

> I see the imminent death of 20,000 men who for a fantasy, a trick of fame, go to their graves like beds
## Vanity Fair Screening Room
Vanity Fair's Screening Room hosts film screenings and panel discussions in Los Angeles and New York.

> The inaugural edition of vanity fair's screening room pairs this year's most compelling films with a slate of programming
## Why Elsinore moves people
Elsinore moves people because it shows courage and humor without wallowing in tragedy.

> The reason that i love it so much is that when i was doing hamlet myself
## Key takeaway

Andrew Scott says Elsinore's humor and courage make it moving, not wallowing in tragedy.