Ian Charleson, the Scottish Prince

He delivered 'the greatest ever Hamlet', then eight weeks later died How Edinburgh actor Ian Charleson triumphed on stage and helped change public attitudes to HIV

He delivered 'the greatest ever Hamlet' then 8 weeks later died
How Edinburgh actor Ian Charleson triumphed on stage & helped change public attitudes to HIV
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/he-deliver...
John Peter, the eminent Sunday Times theatre critic, effusively praised the “masterful new Hamlet”

It's a beautiful tribute book for a wonderful actor!

Saw this book in a coffee shop, picked it up and couldn’t put it down.
I recall Ian Charleson from the film Chariots of Fire, but beyond that knew little about him.
It’s a collection of tributes from people who knew him; he was very much loved.

Sadly he died of Aids in 1990.

Olivia Colman spotted in Kent as film crews set up on coast Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman has been spotted filming in Kent as crews set up on Romney Marsh.

Olivia Colman spotted in Dungeness on Romney Marsh as crews shoot new film Elsinore.
#IanCharleson

www.kentonline.co.uk/romney-marsh...

@bestofbendaniels.bsky.social Thank you for the repost! ☺️

On YouTube there's a clip from "O Canada" directed by Alan Gibson, with Ian Charleson as John Ross.
A TV play in the anthology series "Churchill's People", playdate May 19, 1975.

Save the Rose Theatre Campaign and Protest On Site Bankside Southwark London, UK - 11 Jun 1989:
Natasha Richardson, John Alderton, Leslie Grantham, Timothy Dalton, Vanessa Redgrave and Ian Charleson.

Via Shutterstock.

Bbc 'Master of the Game' Photocall Outside Bafta, 195 Piccadilly - 19 Feb 1984
Cherie Lunghi, Ian Charleson and Dyan Cannon

Via Shutterstock

Ian Charleson played Greta in one night show "Bent", June 1989, together with a great cast.
There's very little about the show, some photos and the programme.
Ben Daniels once wrote me via Twitter that it was an amazing experience for him!
The story is heartbreaking.

Another portrait of Ian, towards the end of his life.

Ian Charleson insisted it be recorded that his death was due to #AIDS.
He was at the time the most famous British person to die of the disease. He wanted raising awareness to be a part of his legacy.
The #HIV clinic at London’s Royal Free Hospital is named in his memory.

A publicity still for Hamlet. Although dimly lit, you can see signs of his illness in his appearance.

Ian Charleson’s final role was as Hamlet at the National Theatre.
He was less than three months away from death.
A friend of mine in the production counted it the most extraordinary performance he’d seen: a dying man playing the melancholy Prince, grappling with his own mortality.

A studio portrait of Ian Charleson. He has a masculine beauty, soulful eyes staring directly at the lens.

Ian Charleson, star of the Oscar winning Chariots of Fire, died of AIDS on this day in 1990.
He was 40, one of a generation decimated by the disease.
We didn’t just lose friends, lovers, brothers; we lost the roles never played, the songs unwritten, the art never created.
The loss is incalculable.

Ian Charleston

#NowWatching Chariots of Fire. 6 January 1990. Scottish actor Ian Charleson died of AIDS (aged 40). He's best known for his role as Olympic athlete and missionary Eric Liddell. When I was younger I liked the jock Harold Abrams (Ben Cross). The older I get I identify with Liddell and his convictions

Missionary/athlete Eric Liddell, #botd in 1902, was played by Ian Charleson in the film Chariots of Fire. (Liddell died at 43 in a WWII internment camp in China; Charleson at 40 from AIDS.) As we do our daily stuff, let's all imagine we're accompanied by that Vangelis theme!

#moviesky #filmsky

Chariots of Fire The story of athletes Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, rivals who were both chosen to represent Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Chariots Of Fire (1981). Enjoyed watching this. Brilliant soundtrack and an all star cast for a British film that managed to crossover with Academy awards. Ian Charleson with a fine understated performance as Eric Liddell
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

This month marks the 35th anniversary of the Ian Charleson Day Centre (ICDC) at the Royal Free Hospital.

Since opening, the ICDC has witnessed – and driven – a revolution in care provided to those living with HIV. [...]
www.linkedin.com/posts/royalf...

I agree. I would see another actor in the role.

I would prefer an actor like Jack Lowden, but I'll watch it the same.

I'm not convinced of the main casting, but of course I will watch it.

Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman to Star in ‘Elsinore,’ About ‘Chariots of Fire’ Star Ian Charleson, for StudioCanal (Exclusive) Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers, Ripley, Pressure) and Olivia Colman (The Favourite, The Crown, The Lost Daughter) will star in Elsinore, a film based on the life of Ian Charleson, the Scottish star of the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire, whose final role was Hamlet in a celebrated London theater production. The movie comes from Canal+’s StudioCanal, LD Entertainment, Lucky Red, and Magnolia Mae Films.

Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman to Star in ‘Elsinore,’ About ‘Chariots of Fire’ Star Ian Charleson, for StudioCanal (Exclusive)

One of my very favourite b&w photos of Ian Charleson from IMDB.

On this #WorldAIDSDay I want to remember #IanCharleson and how he will always be loved by a large audience for the dedication he put on his roles and the humour he was known for by his friends and colleagues! 🌹

12 Based on a True Story Movies That Are Actually Pretty True
www.moviemaker.com/movies-based...
Chariots of Fire (1981), set a century ago, is the very factual story of two runners - the Scottish Christian Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) and Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross)....

Signing the agreement 'Give me the paper, let me read the same, And to the strict'st decrees I'll write my name.' Berowne, Act 1 Scene 1 This production photo (RSC 1978) shows the moment at the beginning of the play when Berowne (Michael Pennington), watched by Longaville (Ian Charleston), reads the King's (Richard Griffiths) oath to devote them to three years' study at the expense of more worldly pursuits. In the bottom right of the image, a pile of books has been left beside a fallen tree hinting that these would-be scholars might not be entirely devoted to the academic life. The mellow tones of the men's period costumes complement the autumnal set designed by Ralph Koltai, reflecting the transitory nature of love and the seasons.

This is true. *Shudders at memory of Branagh movie version*. Though I have the fondest (if haziest) memory of my first with Ian Charleson, Michael Pennington & (yes) Richard Griffiths. Wish Bella Spewack & Cole Porter had transformed it, though - Don't Kiss Me, Ros...

Excuse me: Andrew Scott?
Nothing personal, but I don't see him in the role!
www.screendaily.com/features/the...

Richard E. Grant talks about his travels and mentions Ian Charleson between the others, he wouldn't have imagined to work with when he saw them on stage! 🤩
www.thetimes.com/travel/inspi...

Ian Charleson biopic in the works from Stephen Frears | West End Theatre A new movie biopic of celebrated West End actor Ian Charleson is in development.

Ian Charleson biopic in the works from Stephen Frears

Read more: www.westendtheatre.com/302080/news/...

Award-winning director #StephenFrears (The Queen) is developing a new movie based on the life of West End actor and film star #IanCharleson

Screenplay by #StephenBeresford (Pride)

Ian Charleson Scottish actor Ian Charleson was BOTD in 1949. Born in Edinburgh to a working-class family, he was a gifted student, winning a scholarship to a prestigious secondary school, where he acted in local…

Scottish actor Ian Charleson was BOTD in 1949. A star of the London stage by his 20s, his films included “Jubilee”, “Chariots of Fire” and “Gandhi”. He died of an AIDS related illness in 1989, aged 40, weeks after appearing onstage as “Hamlet”. #iancharleson #supergays #bornonthisday

YouTube video by Babylonroyal My Love is like a red red rose

The late, great Ian Charleson would’ve been 76 today! youtu.be/_-3ALLRrI-Q

A black and white photograph, head and shoulders, of a young man resting his head on his left hand, lit from his left, with the right side of his face in shadows. His hair is tousled.

Hamlet reports his cleverness - and ruthlessness
www.english.cam.ac.uk/research/slo...
This week's pics are all of @nationaltheatre.org.uk Hamlets. Here, a publicity image from 1989: Ian Charleson (1949-1990), whose performance weeks before his death from AIDS is still recalled with awe & deep love