Game of Thrones Prequel Hits Stage
The Royal Shakespeare Company is set to stage a new "Game of Thrones" prequel titled “The Mad King.” The production will explore the Targaryen dynasty's history. This marks a significant expansion of the fantasy intellectual property into live theatre, with industry observers viewing it as a move toward literary prestige for the franchise.
- The play is penned by acclaimed British playwright Duncan Macmillan and will be directed by Dominic Cooke, the former artistic director of London's Royal Court Theatre. - The story is set during the Tourney at Harrenhal, a pivotal event in Westerosi history that takes place more than a decade before the events of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels and the "Game of Thrones" television series. - The plot will feature younger versions of well-known characters such as Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister and will delve into the "star-crossed lovers" story of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. - George R.R. Martin, the author of the book series, has been actively involved in the play's development and stated that the Royal Shakespeare Company was his first choice for a theatrical adaptation of his work. - The production is a significant co-production, involving Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, Mark Manuel, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures on behalf of HBO, and Access Entertainment. - This theatrical prequel was first announced in 2021 and was originally slated to premiere in 2023 under the title "The Iron Throne." - The world premiere will take place in the summer of 2026 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, with public booking opening in April 2026.
