George RR Martin’s 'Game of Thrones: The Mad King' play set for Royal Shakespeare Company premiere

A Game of Thrones story is heading to the theatre stage this summer with the announcement of Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a new play based on the world created by George R.R. Martin. The production will premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s season.

The play is adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, with Martin serving as executive producer. It’s set more than a decade before the events of the original Game of Thrones novels and television series, focusing on the legendary Tourney at Harrenhal, a pivotal moment that helped ignite Robert’s Rebellion against the Targaryen dynasty.

According to the official synopsis, the story begins as a long winter thaws and the great houses of Westeros gather for a lavish tournament. But beneath the celebrations, unease grows as King Aerys II Targaryen, known as the Mad King, tightens his grip on power and dissent simmers within his inner circle. Families including the Starks, Baratheons, Lannisters and Martells are drawn into the political intrigue that ultimately leads to war.

Martin has expressed his excitement about the theatrical adaptation, saying that bringing Westeros to the stage is “something I did not expect but welcome with great enthusiasm and excitement,” noting that theatre offers a unique space where imagination and live performance meet.

Tickets will go on sale with priority booking starting April 14, 2026, and further details are expected in the coming months, including full casting information.

The production marks the first time a Game of Thrones story has been adapted for a major theatre company, expanding the franchise beyond books and screen to live performance, and giving both longtime fans and newcomers a new way to experience the rich, political saga of Westeros.

This play brings one of the most significant periods of Westeros history to life, the rise of conflict that shaped the world fans know from Game of Thrones, and represents a rare collaboration between fantasy storytelling and classical theatre.