Westeros

THE RSC CONFIRMS PRODUCTION DATES FOR

GEORGE R. R. MARTIN’S GAME OF THRONES: THE MAD KING

AHEAD OF BOOKING OPENING THIS MONTH





GEORGE R. R. MARTIN’S GAME OF THRONES: THE MAD KING WILL HAVE ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON FROM 20 JULY – 5 SEPTEMBER 2026

PRIORITY BOOKING WILL OPEN FROM 14 APRIL 2026 WITH PUBLIC BOOKING FROM 22 APRIL 2026

CREATIVE TEAM REVEALED ALONGSIDE PLANS FOR A BOLD NEW CONFIGURATION OF THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE



The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) today announces production dates for the world premiere of Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a new play based on the novels by George R. R. Martin, adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke.



Game of Thrones: The Mad King will have its world premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from Monday 20 July – Saturday 5 September with official opening night on Saturday 8 August. Priority booking will go on sale from 10am on 14 April 2026 with public booking from 10am on 22 April 2026.



‘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. Spanning the final years before the events of the novels, this powerful drama reveals a legendary chapter of Westerosi history.



Joining Dominic Cooke and Duncan Macmillan on the creative team are 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 & 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 and Assistant Director Lenore Gallegos.



RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said: “We are thrilled to share the full creative team and announce performance dates for Game of Thrones: The Mad King. This production brings together some of theatre’s most visionary talents to reimagine George R. R. Martin’s world for the stage.



“In a bold new configuration of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, audiences will find themselves at the very heart of the action — immersed in the intrigue and theatrical spectacle that promises to make this production truly epic. It’s an ambitious and exhilarating collaboration, and we can’t wait to welcome audiences into this extraordinary experience.”



Game of Thrones: The Mad King is co-produced with Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, Mark Manuel, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures obo HBO and Sir Leonard Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment.



LISTINGS INFORMATION



George R. R. Martin’s

GAME OF THRONES: THE MAD KING



Adapted by Duncan Macmillan

Directed by Dominic Cooke



Monday 20 July – Saturday 5 September 2026

Opening night: Saturday 8 August 2026



Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Box Office: 01789 331111, rsc.org.uk



Tickets are priced from £20 plus a £3.50 per transaction fee (exclusions apply). Discounts are available, subject to eligibility and availability.





‘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.



ON SALE DATES



Artist Circle and Gold Patrons: Tuesday 14 April

Silver Patrons: Wednesday 15 April

Bronze Patrons: Thursday 16 April

RSC Members: Friday 17 April



RSC Subscribers: Tuesday 21 April

Public booking: Wednesday 22 April



PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE



Creative Team Talk: Monday 3 August, 5.15–6pm

Post show talk: Tuesday 1 September

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