'Game of Thrones: The Mad King' cancels first week of previews but remains on track for UK premiere

The Royal Shakespeare Company's highly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel play, The Mad King, has cancelled its entire first week of preview performances but is still expected to make its UK premiere later this month.

The production was originally scheduled to begin previews at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon on July 20, but the first four performances have now been cancelled. The Royal Shakespeare Company has not publicly disclosed a reason for the decision. 

Despite the setback, the production remains scheduled to begin performances on July 25, with its official opening night set for August 8. The play is expected to continue its run through September 5. 

Ticket holders affected by the cancellations have been contacted by the theatre and offered alternative performance dates or refunds. The RSC has not indicated whether the cancelled previews will be rescheduled.

Game of Thrones: The Mad King is a new stage prequel set during the final years before the events of George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels. The story explores the growing instability of King Aerys II Targaryen and the political tensions that eventually lead to Robert's Rebellion.

The play begins around the Tournament at Harrenhal, a pivotal event in Westerosi history that brings together key figures including Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Lyanna Stark, Robert Baratheon, Eddard Stark and members of the Targaryen court.

Written by acclaimed playwright Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the production features Michael Shaeffer as King Aerys II, Noah Ritter as Prince Rhaegar, Harmony Rose-Bremner as Lyanna Stark, Callum Woodhouse as Robert Baratheon and Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark. 

The production is co-produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures on behalf of HBO and several other partners. George R.R. Martin serves as an executive producer.

While the cancelled previews have disappointed fans who had planned trips to Stratford-upon-Avon, the RSC has reassured audiences that The Mad King remains on track for its world premiere. The delay has not affected the planned official opening or the wider run of the production.