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Game of Thrones: The Mad King
Years before the battle for the Iron Throne, Westeros gathers for a tournament as the reign of the increasingly dangerous Mad King begins to fracture.
Duncan Macmillan adapts George R. R. Martin’s world for the stage in a new prequel to Game of Thrones. Set during the final years before the novels, it brings together younger versions of the Starks, Targaryens, Lannisters, Baratheons and Martells as King Aerys II’s rule pushes the realm towards rebellion.
A large-scale fantasy drama built around succession, family loyalty and political conspiracy. Dominic Cooke’s production transforms the Royal Shakespeare Theatre around a cross-shaped stage, with battles, puppetry and an unusually large ensemble used to tell the events that reshape Westeros before the story most audiences know begins.
epic ensemble drama, dynastic power struggles, political intrigue, immersive staging and fantasy stories where family alliances can be as dangerous as the battles themselves.
Details
- From 28 Jul 2026
Duncan Macmillan adapts George R. R. Martin’s world for the stage in a new prequel to Game of Thrones. Set during the final years before the novels, it brings together younger versions of the Starks, Targaryens, Lannisters, Baratheons and Martells as King Aerys II’s rule pushes the realm towards rebellion.
A large-scale fantasy drama built around succession, family loyalty and political conspiracy. Dominic Cooke’s production transforms the Royal Shakespeare Theatre around a cross-shaped stage, with battles, puppetry and an unusually large ensemble used to tell the events that reshape Westeros before the story most audiences know begins.
epic ensemble drama, dynastic power struggles, political intrigue, immersive staging and fantasy stories where family alliances can be as dangerous as the battles themselves.
Details
- From 28 Jul 2026
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Cast & crew
Cast(40)
- George R. R. MartinOriginal Author / Based on the novels by
- Duncan MacmillanAdapter
- Michael ShaefferKing Aerys II Targaryen
- Noah RitterPrince Rhaegar Targaryen
- Mariah GaleQueen Rhaella Targaryen / Lady Shella Whent
- Michael AbubakarEddard Stark
- Harmony Rose-BremnerLyanna Stark
- Luke BradyBrandon Stark
- Miles BarrowBenjen Stark
- Alexander NewlandLord Rickard Stark
- Marty BreenCatelyn Stark
- Maxim AysSer Jaime Lannister
- Daisy FranksCersei Lannister / Golda Whent / Ensemble / Puppeteer
- Marcello WaltonSer Jonothor Darry / Lord Tywin Lannister
- Callum WoodhouseLord Robert Baratheon
- Elizabeth AyodelePrincess Elia Martell
- Edem-Ita DukeOberyn Martell
- Adrian ChristopherPrince Lewyn Martell / Ensemble / Puppeteer
- Kel MatsenaSer Arthur Dayne
- Daniel HawksfordSer Barristan Selmy
- Hughie O’DonnellLord Varys
- Richard HansellGrand Maester Pycelle
- Islam BouakkazHowland Reed
- Huw ParmenterSer Oswell Whent
- Shaun Yusuf McKeeSer Gerold Hightower / Ensemble / Puppeteer
- Tom LarkinLord Whent / Wisdom Rossart / Ensemble / Puppeteer
- Sebastian CharlesOwen Merryweather / Ensemble / Puppeteer
- Fred DavisQarlton Chelsted / Maester / Ensemble / Puppeteer
- Griffin AshtonPrince Viserys Targaryen
- Henry GrayPrince Viserys Targaryen
- Beckett MitchellPrince Viserys Targaryen
- Ronan CullenEnsemble / Swing / Puppetry
- Simi Egbejumi-DavidEnsemble / Swing / Puppetry
- Lewis HowardEnsemble / Swing / Puppetry
- April Nerissa HudsonEnsemble / Swing / Puppetry
- Chelsea MarieEnsemble / Swing / Puppetry
- Kate RowsellEnsemble / Swing / Puppetry
- Tom StacyEnsemble / Swing / Puppetry
- Matt TaitEnsemble / Swing / Puppetry
- Tzarina-NassorEnsemble / Swing / Puppetry
Creative & crew(31)
- Director
- Dominic Cooke
- Composer
- Will Stuart
- Set designer
- Chloe Lamford
- Costume designer
- Georgia McGuinness
- Lighting designer
- Jon Clark
- Sound designer
- Tom Gibbons
- Associate director
- Emily Raymond
- Associate set designer
- Machiko Weston
- Associate lighting designer
- Lucía Sánchez Roldan
- Associate sound designer
- Alex Twiselton
- Casting director
- Amy Ball CDG
- Fight director
- Bethan Clark
- Assistant director
- Bellaray Bertrand-Webb
- Intimacy director
- Ingrid Mackinnon
- Puppetry movement
- Nick Barnes, Finn Caldwell
- Dialect
- Hazel Holder
- Period dance consultant
- Francesca Roche
- Creative consultant
- Ti Mikkel
- Director s consultant
- Lenore Gallegos
- Associate puppetry designer
- Oli Simonon
- Associate Puppetry & Movement
- Scarlet Wilderink
- Voice & Text
- Jeannette Nelson
- Associate Costume Designer
- Alex Berry
- Producer
- Royal Shakespeare Company