Game of Thrones: The Mad King Prequel Premieres This Summer

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As a huge fan of George R.R. Martin’s world, I’m incredibly excited about Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a new play coming to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon this summer. It’s a prequel focusing on the events leading up to Robert’s Rebellion, specifically the Tourney at Harrenhal. Apparently, it’ll really delve into what sparked the whole conflict and ultimately brought down the Targaryen family – I can’t wait to see those early days of Westeros brought to life on stage!

Duncan Macmillan, known for plays like People, Places and Things and Every Brilliant Thing, wrote The Mad King. Dominic Cooke, who has directed productions of Good, Follies, and The Hollow Crown, directs this new stage adaptation. The epic play will bring famous characters from Game of Thrones to life at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, telling the story of a legendary period in the show’s history.

The Mad King To Open Ticket Sales Soon

The Royal Shakespeare Company announced on its website that its production of The Mad King will run from July 20 to September 5 as part of the 2026 season. Tickets will be available in advance starting April 14. The play, set on a cross-shaped stage, tells a story from about 15 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It focuses on the Tourney at Harrenhal, where Prince Rhaegar Targaryen wins the jousting competition and names Lyanna Stark as Queen of Love and Beauty, presenting her with a crown of blue winter roses. This act creates a major scandal because Lyanna is promised to Robert Baratheon, and Rhaegar is already married to Elia Martell with two children.

The official synopsis of The Mad King reads:

As winter ends and spring arrives at Harrenhal, a grand feast is held before a jousting tournament, filled with romance and predictions about the upcoming competition. However, beneath the surface of celebration, those secretly opposed to the cruel King are plotting against him. Meanwhile, the sounds of war echo in the distance. Loyalties, old prophecies, and the rightful claim to the throne will be challenged in a fierce struggle for control. Only time will tell who will live and who will claim victory.

GRRM Confirmed The Game of Thrones Stage Prequel In February

In February, Martin announced an upcoming large-scale event on his blog, Not a Blog, with the title “The Mad King is Coming.” He explained that Lord Walter Whent was hosting a tournament at the largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms to celebrate his daughter’s birthday, and that almost every important family – from the royal court to the Starks and Targaryens – would be attending.

The play’s audience includes King Aerys II Targaryen, his son and the future king, Rhaegar, and members of House Stark: Brandon, Eddard, Benjen, and their sister, Lyanna. Lyanna’s fiancé, Robert Baratheon, is also present, along with his loyal companion, Ser Howland Reed—who later fights with Eddard at the Tower of Joy, as depicted in Game of Thrones. The author, George R.R. Martin, has indicated he will also be among the spectators in his own story, adding another layer to the event.

Details about who will star in The Mad King haven’t been released yet. Besides the actors Macmillan and Cooke, the production team includes Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, who are directing the puppetry and movement. Chloe Lamford is designing the set, Georgia McGuinness the costumes, Jon Clark the lighting, and Will Stuart is composing the music. Tom Gibbons is handling sound design, Amy Ball is the casting director, Jeannette Nelson is coaching the voice and text, and Hazel Holder is providing dialect coaching. Emily Raymond is the associate director.

The production team includes Scarlet Wilderink (associate puppetry and movement), Francesca Roche (period dance consultant), Ti Mikkel (creative consultant), Machiko Weston (associate set designer), Alex Berry (associate costume designer), Alex Twiselton (associate sound designer), and Lenore Gallegos (assistant director). Martin is the creator and executive producer.

The stage production Game of Thrones: The Mad King is a collaboration between Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, Mark Manuel, Warner Bros. Theater Ventures (for HBO), and Access Entertainment (represented by Sir Leonard Blavatnik and Danny Cohen).

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2026-04-07 05:05