Royal Shakespeare Company’s highly anticipated stage prequel remains on course for its official August premiere despite early performance cancellations.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has cancelled the first week of preview performances for its eagerly awaited Game of Thrones stage prequel, The Mad King, although the production is still expected to make its UK premiere later this month.
The play had been scheduled to begin preview performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on July 20, but the first four preview shows have now been called off. The RSC has not publicly explained the reason behind the cancellations.
Despite the disruption, the theatre company confirmed that the production remains on track to begin performances on July 25, with its official opening night still scheduled for August 8. The play is expected to continue its run until September 5.
Audience members holding tickets for the cancelled previews have been contacted by the theatre and offered either replacement performance dates or full refunds. The RSC has not announced any plans to reschedule the cancelled preview performances.
Game of Thrones: The Mad King serves as a theatrical prequel to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, exploring the turbulent final years before the events depicted in the acclaimed fantasy series.
The story centres on the growing instability of King Aerys II Targaryen, whose deteriorating rule ultimately leads to Robert’s Rebellion, one of the defining conflicts in Westeros history.
The production begins around the Tournament at Harrenhal, a landmark event that brings together several iconic characters, including Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Lyanna Stark, Robert Baratheon, Eddard Stark, and members of the Targaryen royal court.
The play is written by acclaimed playwright Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke.
The cast 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 a collaboration between the Royal Shakespeare Company, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures on behalf of HBO, and several production partners. George R.R. Martin also serves as an executive producer.
Although the cancellation of the opening previews has disappointed many fans who planned to travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company has reassured audiences that The Mad King remains firmly on schedule for its world premiere, with no changes to its official opening date or planned performance run.