Step into the world of Westeros like never before as ‘The Mad King,’ a thrilling stage adaptation based on George R.R. Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones,’ makes its debut at The Royal Shakespeare Company. This production, taking place just before the action of the original series, promises to unravel the complex stories of its most notable houses.

George R.R. Martin is expanding the world of ‘Game of Thrones’ once again. A new stage production titled ‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King’ has been officially announced. The play will be produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company, with Duncan Macmillan adapting the story and Dominic Cooke directing. Tickets go on sale in April, and the show will begin performances this summer, with a date yet to be confirmed.As reported by Collider, ‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King’ will explore key events that occurred just before the original novels that inspired the HBO series. The project introduces a new format to the franchise, which already includes television spin-offs such as ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’.

‘Game of Thrones’ prequel heads to theatre

The official synopsis describes the production as: “Game of Thrones: The Mad King is a sweeping new stage epic from the world of George R. R. Martin, written by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke. Spanning the final years before the events of the novels, this powerful drama reveals a legendary chapter of Westerosi history. Come face to face with familiar characters from the houses Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon and Martell and witness the events that set the stage for the world’s most critically acclaimed series.”The story will bring major houses to the stage, including Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon and Martell. It focuses on the final years leading up to the events that shaped the world audiences first saw in 2011, when ‘Game of Thrones’ premiered on HBO.

George R.R. Martin reacts to stage adaptation

Martin shared his excitement about seeing his fantasy world adapted for live theater. “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,” he said.“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.”He also praised the Royal Shakespeare Company. “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.”Martin added, “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.”George R. R. Martin is an American novelist and screenwriter best known for creating the epic fantasy series ‘A Song of Ice and Fire,’ which inspired HBO’s hit show ‘Game of Thrones.’ Born on September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey, he began publishing science fiction in the 1970s. His detailed world building and morally complex characters reshaped modern fantasy. In recent years, he has expanded his universe with projects including ‘House of the Dragon’ and the stage play ‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King.’ He continues to write, produce, and develop new stories across television, film, and theatre.