Game of Thrones: The Mad King – first look at rehearsals

Exclusive: George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King is mere days away from beginning its previews at the RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and we can now get a sneak peek at the rehearsals in action.

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. It features a variety of characters never seen on page (or screen in the award-winning TV series).

It is adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, and will run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 23 July to 5 September 2026, with an official opening night scheduled for 8 August.

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That’s not all: for those excited about The Mad King, we will be publishing exclusive video interviews with the cast very soon – so stay tuned for more, and make sure you subscribe to the WhatsOnStage Podcast to get them first.

The cast includes (deep breath as it’s a huge company!) Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark, Elizabeth Ayodele as Princess Elia Martell, Maxim Ays as Ser Jaime Lannister, Miles Barrow as Benjen Stark, Islam Bouakkaz as Howland Reed, Luke Brady as Brandon Stark, Marty Breen as Catelyn Stark, Sebastian Charles as Owen Merryweather and ensemble, Adrian Christopher as Prince Lewyn Martell and ensemble, Ronan Cullen as ensemble/swing, Fred Davis as Qarlton Chelsted and ensemble, Edem-Ita Duke as Oberyn Martell, Simi Egbejumi-David as ensemble.

Onto a second paragraph, the company also includes Daisy Franks as Cersei Lannister and ensemble, Mariah Gale as Queen Rhaella Targaryen and Lady Shella Whent, Richard Hansell as Grand Maester Pycelle, Daniel Hawksford as Ser Barristan Selmy, Lewis Howard as ensemble, April Nerissa Hudson as ensemble, Tom Larkin as Lord Whent, Wisdom Rossart and ensemble, Chelsea Marie as ensemble, Kel Matsena as Ser Arthur Dayne, Shaun Yusuf McKee as Ser Gerold Hightower and ensemble, Alexander Newland as Lord Rickard Stark and Hughie O’Donnell as Lord Varys.

Third paragraph time, we also have Huw Parmenter as Ser Oswell Whent, Noah Ritter as Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Harmony Rose-Bremner as Lyanna Stark, Kate Rowsell as ensemble/swing, Michael Shaeffer as King Aerys II Targaryen, Tanisha Spring as Ashara Dayne, Tom Stacy as ensemble/swing, Matt Tait as ensemble, Tzarina-Nassor as ensemble, Marcello Walton as Ser Jonothor Darry and Lord Tywin Lannister, and Callum Woodhouse as Lord Robert Baratheon.

Joining Dominic and Duncan on the creative team are puppetry and movement directors Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (Lume), set designer Chloe Lamford, costume designer Georgia McGuinness, lighting designer Jon Clark, composer Will Stuart, sound designer Tom Gibbons, casting director Amy Ball, fight director Bethan Clark, intimacy director Ingrid Mackinnon, voice and text coach Jeannette Nelson, dialect coach Hazel Holder, associate director Emily Raymond, associate puppetry and movement director Scarlet Wilderink, period dance consultant Francesca Roche, creative consultant Ti Mikkel, director’s consultant Lenore Gallegos, associate puppetry designer Oli Simonon, associate set designer Machiko Weston, associate costume designer Alex Berry, associate lighting designer Lucía Sánchez Roldan, associate sound designer Alex Twiselton and assistant director Bellaray Bertrand-Webb.

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.