The Royal Shakespeare Company’s sold-out Stratford-upon-Avon production of Game of Thrones: The Mad King will transfer to London next year, the company and George R. R. Martin announced today.
Martin himself appeared in a brief Instagram video this morning to announce the production’s move.
In a written statement, Martin, the creator of Game of Thrones and executive producer of The Mad King, said, “I had an absolutely splendid time in Stratford-upon-Avon for the premier and am thrilled the production will be moving to London to share the experience with a wider audience. It promises to be an exhilarating journey.”
The final performance at the RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon is scheduled for this Saturday, September 5. Based on Martin’s novels, with an adaptation by Duncan Macmillan and direction from Dominic Cooke, the play will open at a London venue that has yet to be identified. The dates for the London run will also be announced at a later time.
“We are thrilled that George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King will have a future life in London,” said RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey. “This production is unique and brilliantly demonstrates the extraordinary things that theatre can do.
“The reaction from audiences in Stratford has been phenomenal,” they continued, “and we are so honoured that 57% of our bookers were new to the RSC. We can’t wait for more people to discover this beautiful and epic show.”
The Mad King, which covers the final years leading up to the events of the novels and “reveals a legendary chapter of Westerosi history” (per the synopsis), held its world premiere at the RST on Saturday, August 8.
According to its official synopsis, the prequel takes place in Harrenhal as a long winter starts to thaw. “At a lavish banquet on the eve of a jousting tournament,” the synopsis reads, “lovers meet and revelers speculate about who will contend. But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the bloodthirsty 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?”
The play draws inspiration from the “Robert’s Rebellion” lore of Martin’s expansive book series, in which the married Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, son of the Mad King Aerys, falls in love with Lyanna Stark and runs away with her. The development sparks a rebellion led by Robert Baratheon, who is engaged to Lyanna. After successfully deposing the Mad King, The Rebellion brings about the downfall of House Targaryen.
The Royal Shakespeare Company production is being produced by Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, Mark Manuel, Sir Leonard Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment, alongside Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures on behalf of HBO.
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