The play will be based on George R. R. Martin‘s novels, adapted for the stage by Duncan Macmillan.
The world premiere of Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a new play based on the novels by George R. R. Martin will have its world premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon this summer.
Adapted for the stage by Duncan Macmillan, the production will be directed by Dominic Cooke with further creative team, casting and dates for the production yet to be announced.
Priority booking will go on sale from 14th April 2026 with public booking to be announced in April.
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?
The plot of the play is set to span the final years before the events of the novels, with the drama filled play set to reveal a legendary chapter of Westerosi history.
Talking about the news, Executive Producer and creator George R. R. Martin said: “For me, the RSC was the obvious choice when thinking about putting a Game of Thrones story on the stage. Shakespeare is the greatest name in English literature, and his plays have been a constant source of inspiration to me and my writing. Not only that, he faced similar challenges in how to put a battle on stage, so we are in good company. It will be thrilling to watch the events of this new play unfold in a live environment. Duncan’s masterful script honours the world completely, and I am so excited for both fans of the series, and perhaps people who have never picked up one of my books, to experience this new story in a theatre.”
Meanwhile, RSC Co-Artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said: “When we first read Duncan’s script, it was immediately apparent how this epic cycle of warring families sits in a continuum with Shakespeare’s history cycles. So it feels like an exciting and apposite marriage between the RSC and Game of Thrones universe.”
The show is set to be 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.
To keep up with further information on the production visit: https://www.rsc.org.uk/game-of-thrones-the-mad-king