The world premiere of Game of Thrones: The Mad King will play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 20 July – 5 September 2026.
Game of Thrones: The Mad King is a sweeping new stage epic based on the novels by George R. R. Martin and adapted by Duncan Macmillan.
Spanning the final years before the events of the novels, this powerful drama reveals a legendary chapter of Westerosi history.
The Story
‘Enter the world before.
A long winter thaws in Harrenhal, and spring is promised. At a lavish banquet on the eve of a jousting tournament, lovers meet and revellers speculate about who will contend. But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the blood-thirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot. Far away, the drums of battle sound.
Family bonds, ancient prophecies, and the sacred line of succession will be tested in a dangerous campaign for power. Who will survive? Who will rise?
‘Wars aren’t won by those with most cause, but whose story’s best told.’
Game of Thrones: The Mad King is a sweeping new stage epic from the world of George R. R. Martin, written by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke. Spanning the final years before the events of the novels, this powerful drama reveals a legendary chapter of Westerosi history.
Come face to face with familiar characters from the houses Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon and Martell and witness the events that set the stage for the world’s most critically acclaimed series.
Creative Team
Puppetry and Movement Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (Lume)
Set Designer Chloe Lamford
Costume Designer Georgia McGuinness
Lighting Designer Jon Clark
Composer Will Stuart
Sound Designer Tom Gibbons
Casting by Amy Ball CDG
Voice and Text Jeannette Nelson
Dialect Hazel Holder
Associate Director Emily Raymond
Associate Puppetry and Movement Scarlet Wilderink
Period Dance Consultant Francesca Roche
Creative Consultant Ti Mikkel
Associate Set Designer Machiko Weston
Associate Costume Designer Alex Berry
Associate Sound Designer Alex Twiselton
Assistant Director Lenore Gallegos.
Access Performances
Captioned performance: Thursday 27 August, 7.15pm
Chilled and Captioned performance: Saturday 29 August, 1.15pm
Audio described performances with pre-show touch tour: Saturday 15 August, 1.15pm and Friday 4 September, 7.15pm
Chilled performance: Thursday 20 August, 1.15pm
