George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King begins preview performances at the RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre this evening, 28 July. Set decades before the events of Martin’s globally loved fantasy series, The Mad King tells the story of Robert’s Rebellion, beginning with a fateful tourney within the dilapidated ruins of Harrenhal. The world premiere play is adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke. It will run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 5 September 2026, with an official opening night scheduled for 8 August. Game of Thrones: The Mad King is co-produced with Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, Mark Manuel, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures on behalf of HBO, and Sir Leonard Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment.