Game of Thrones: The Mad King, the Royal Shakespeare Company's sold-out stage production, will transfer to London next year, and a fan review from its final Stratford-upon-Avon week says it is unmissable for devotees of George R. R. Martin's world. The four-hour play, which closed last week after a complete sell-out run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, depicts events 15 years before the books and HBO series begin.
What happens in The Mad King
The play dramatises the major events leading up to Robert's Rebellion, showing for the first time the story that is only spoken about from different perspectives in the novels and TV show. According to the fan review, seeing these events unfold live reveals far more about what really happened than readers and viewers ever knew, in the usual style of the world of White Walkers and Stone Men.
One of the biggest highlights is meeting the titular Mad King, Aerys II, played by Michael Shaeffer. His initial appearance as a wizened old man disguises the true scale of his cruel and sadistic nature, which is soon laid bare in shocking fashion. Fans also finally meet Ned Stark's sister Lyanna, played by Harmony Rose-Bremner, who is no passive damsel in distress but has a far more active influence on the play's events and what happens afterwards than could be expected.
Staging and puppetry
The staging places the stage in the centre of the theatre, surrounded on all four sides by the audience. Actors perform not to an audience in front of them but all around them, allowing for amazing action sequences with actors rushing in from all sides. Full-size horse puppets are operated by humans and literally ridden by actors, and horses are not the only puppets seen.
The production also features an incredible full-size Iron Throne that rises up through the stage, and a mysterious cloaked figure watching events from the sidelines without a single line. The review notes that Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen is perhaps not the man we may have thought he was, and new light is cast on Robert Baratheon, who appears as a tragic figure and truly fearsome warrior rampaging across the stage with his war hammer, rather than the sullen, drunken buffoon of the first book and first series.
Cast and creative team
The review praises the performances of Michael Shaeffer as the Mad King, Michael Abubakar as Ned Stark, Harmony Rose-Bremner as Lyanna, and Callum Woodhouse as Robert Baratheon, noting that any London cast will have very big shoes to fill. Other favourites appearing include Jaime 'Kingslayer' Lannister and the ever-sardonic Lord Varys, with other surprises left unspoiled.
George R. R. Martin wrote on his blog last week: "I had a splendid time in Stratford upon Avon for the premier of Duncan Macmillan and Dominic Cooke’s epic new stage production of Game of Thrones: The Mad King. And furthermore I’m thrilled to announce that the production will be moving on to London to share the experience with a wider audience."
London dates and venue
The London run is confirmed for next year, but no specific theatre or premiere dates have been announced yet. The transfer may depend on whether producers replicate the in-the-round staging or rejig it for a more traditional stage setup. Martin added: "New venue and premiere dates will be announced in due course, and if you would like to hear about new information feel free to sign-up at www.gameofthronesonstage.com. It promises to be an exhilarating journey."
