The Royal Shakespeare Company will stage “Game of Thrones: The Mad King” at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in summer 2026. The production marks the first major theatrical adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s Westeros universe in the United Kingdom.
Creative Team Behind The Production
The play is written by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke. It explores the final years of King Aerys II Targaryen, widely known as the Mad King. The story is set roughly 17 years before the events depicted at the beginning of the Game of Thrones television series.
Storyline And Historical Context
The drama centres on the Great Tourney at Harrenhal, where noble houses from across the Seven Kingdoms gather. Rivalries escalate, political alliances shift, and tensions within the Targaryen dynasty become increasingly visible, shaping the path toward rebellion.
George R. R. Martin Reacts
In a statement released by the Royal Shakespeare Company, George R. R. Martin described the collaboration as a natural fit.
“Shakespeare’s histories explore dynastic struggle, contested succession, and the burden of power. The Mad King tells a story in that same tradition,” he said.
Casting details for the production have not yet been confirmed.
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