When is Game of Thrones: The Mad King opening? Everything you need to know ahead of UK premiere
George RR Martin's new prequel play now has a confirmed date, venue and ticket info.
The sun might be starting to shine, but winter is certainly coming to the UK this July, as Game of Thrones: The Mad King announces its premiere date.
Last month, George RR Martin announced a brand new play from the world of Westeros set just a decade before the events of the first series of Game of Thrones.
The Song of Ice and Fire author has partnered up with the RSC to bring us the new prequel written by Duncan Macmillan (Every Brilliant Thing), which will follow the war between the Targaryens and Baratheons which set the events of series one in motion.
Martin, who is still working on the book series of A Song of Ice and Fire said: "When I first wrote Game of Thrones, I never imagined that it would be anything other than a book. It was a place for my imagination to exist without limits.
"To my great surprise, it was adapted for a series and viewers have been able to enter the world of my imagination through the medium of television. For my work to now be adapted for the stage is something I did not expect but welcome with great enthusiasm and excitement.
"Theatre offers something unique. A place for mine and the audience’s imagination to meet and hopefully create something magical.
“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 the show's adaptor Duncan Macmillan and director Dominic Cooke added: “George’s storytelling is Shakespearean in its scale and its themes – dynastic struggle, ambition, rebellion, madness, prophecy, ill-fated love.
"From the beginning, Shakespeare’s histories and tragedies have been our primary reference for the ambition of this production, so the RSC feels like a natural home.
“It will be thrilling for us to share this new play with audiences, both those that know and love George’s books and HBO’s series, but also audiences who know nothing and want to come and experience something both beautifully intimate and truly epic.”
Here's everything you need to know about this new show including confirmed date, venue and when you'll be able to get tickets.
Jump to:
- What is Game of Thrones: The Mad King about?
- Who is in the Game of Thrones: The Mad King cast and crew?
- When is Game of Thrones: The Mad King premiering in the UK?
- Where is Game of Thrones: The Mad King showing?
- When do tickets go on sale for Game of Thrones: The Mad King?
What is Game of Thrones: The Mad King about?
As fans may remember, Game of Thrones begins with Robert Baratheon (played by Mark Addy) in possession of the Iron Throne after a brutal war against Aerys II Targaryen – the Mad King and father to Daenerys. The houses went to war after Lyanna Stark (Ned Stark's sister), who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon, was seemingly abducted by the Mad King's son Rhaegar Targaryen.
It is this war we will see in the new prequel play which is set a decade before season one opens.
The synopsis reads: "Enter the world before. 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? Wars aren’t won by those with most cause, but whose story’s best told."
The war saw the involvement of major characters including Ned Stark (Sean Bean), Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), which means we’re primed to expect many of these familiar faces from the houses Stark, Lannister, Baratheon and Martell in the show.
When is Game of Thrones: The Mad King premiering in the UK?
Game of Thrones: The Mad King is confirmed to run from Monday 20 July – Saturday 5 September 2026 with official opening night on Saturday 8 August.
Where is Game of Thrones: The Mad King showing?
The play is being held at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon which sits on the town's waterfront.
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When do tickets go on sale for Game of Thrones: The Mad King?
Priority booking will go on sale from 10am on 14 April 2026 with public booking from 10am on 22 April 2026. For early access, visit rsc.org.uk/join to become an RSC member.
Who is in the Game of Thrones: The Mad King cast and crew?
So far, no cast has been announced for the new play, but we have the full creative team.
The show has been adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, who will be joined by Puppetry and Movement team Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (Lume); Set Designer Chloe Lamford; Costume Designer Georgia McGuinness; Lighting Designer Jon Clark; Composer Will Stuart; Sound Designer Tom Gibbons; Casting by Amy Ball CDG; Voice and Text Jeannette Nelson; Dialect Hazel Holder; Associate Director Emily Raymond; Associate Puppetry and Movement Scarlet Wilderink; Period Dance Consultant Francesca Roche; Creative Consultant Ti Mikkel; Associate Set Designer Machiko Weston; Associate Costume Designer Alex Berry; Associate Sound Designer Alex Twiselton and Assistant Director Lenore Gallegos.
Make sure you read our Romeo & Juliet review with Sadie Sink and how to get London Palladium panto 2026 tickets.
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