Game of Thrones: The Mad King – RSC’s Epic Prequel Takes the Stage

The Royal Shakespeare Company opened Game of Thrones: The Mad King in Stratford-upon-Avon in August 2026. Written by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the play dramatizes a jousting tournament at Harrenhal set ten-plus years before the first novel. It runs for 225 minutes on a cross-shaped stage that surrounds the audience. Tickets, priced £10-£95, sold out before opening night. The run ends September 5.

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George R. R. Martin’s *A Song of Ice and Fire* series inspired HBO’s *Game of Thrones* and later prequels. Martin has cited Shakespeare’s history plays as an influence, making the RSC a natural home for this adaptation. The production is the first theatrical work drawn directly from Martin’s canon and coincides with the 30th anniversary of *A Game of Thrones*.

Inside the first Game of Thrones play

• July 25 – A preview performance was cancelled hours before curtain-up; refunds issued.

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• Opening weekend, August 2026 – Gala performance and sold-out run begin.

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• September 5 – Final performance of the scheduled run.

Inside the first Game of Thrones play

• Run length: 225 minutes.

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• Cast: 35 performers.

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• Venue capacity: 870 seats.

Inside the first Game of Thrones play

• Ticket demand: Sold out before opening; 57 % of ticket-holders were new to the RSC.

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• Cost-saving: Recent restructuring reduced the RSC’s annual cost base by £2.8 million.

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• Daniel Evans noted, “If the audiences are expecting spectacular fights, they’re going to get them.”

Inside the first Game of Thrones play

• Martin’s involvement was confirmed by a representative at rehearsals and by his attendance on opening night.

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• The Times called the script “sorely lacking in poetry,” with events “plodding forward” and many lines “simply shouted.”

The night is dark and full of reviewers – Game of Thrones: The Mad King critics round-up

• The Telegraph highlighted the near-four-hour length and a perceived loss of the TV series’ “grit and gore,” while noting the show’s ability to serve both newcomers and fans.

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• Steven (30) observed that staging the play in Stratford “brings in different crowds” and may attract new theatre-goers.

The Guardian

• Fan Edward (29) described the experience as “so fun” despite being “shocked by the run time”.

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• Star ratings: The Guardian, Whatsonstage, and The Telegraph gave four stars; The Times gave three, citing a lack of pace, sex and gore.

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• No definitive audience-attendance figure beyond the sold-out status has been released.

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• “It brings in more people who wouldn’t usually come to the theatre,” — Bethany

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• “If the audiences are expecting spectacular fights, they’re going to get them,” — Daniel Evans

Inside the first Game of Thrones play

• “This is his creation, Westeros, and we wanted to respect that.” — Tamara Harvey

Inside the first Game of Thrones play

The production runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until September 5, after which the RSC will shift to other programmes, including a new staging of *Hamlet Hail to the Thief* in London.

The Guardian