Deadline reports that the Game of Thrones stage play that was previously announced is to take place on July 20. However, the theater will open for ticket purchase May 8.
According to Deadline, production started this summer yet the casting has not been announced.
“We are thrilled to share the full creative team and announce performance dates for Game of Thrones: The Mad King,” say RSC RCO-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey in a joint statement to Deadline. “This production brings together some of theatre’s most visionary talents to reimagine George R. R. Martin’s world for the stage. In a bold new configuration of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, audiences will find themselves at the very heart of the action—immersed in the intrigue and theatrical spectacle that promises to make this production truly epic. It’s an ambitious and exhilarating collaboration, and we can’t wait to welcome audiences into this extraordinary experience.”
Deadline writes that there are new creative team members which include puppetry. The new members are Nick Barnes (Welcome Freshmen, Nickelodeon Arcade) and Finn Caldwell (Life of Pi, Groundhog Day), set designer Chloe Lamford (Death of a Salesman, Hilary and Clinton), costume designer Georgia McGuinness (A Man Paints a Woman, Who Is Still Dreaming?), lighting designer Jon Clark (Love Island, Celeb Ex in the City), composer Will Stuart (The Fourth War, Heaven Is a Playground) and sound designer Tom Gibbons (Sober, Doctor Who). The playwright is Duncan Macmillan (Every Brilliant Thing, Trigonometry) and Dominic Cooke (Amadeus, Richard III) is directing.
According to Deadline, the play gives the following synopsis: “A long winter thaws in Harrenhal, and spring is promised. At a lavish banquet on the eve of a jousting tournament, lovers meet and revelers speculate about who will contend. But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the bloodthirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot. Far away, the drums of battle sound. Family bonds, ancient prophecies, and the sacred line of succession will be tested in a dangerous campaign for power. Who will survive? Who will rise?”
Deadline reports that Game of Thrones: The Mad King is based on Robert Baratheon’s rebellion, which is another part of Martin’s lore. After the wedding of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, in which they abandon their kingdoms, Robert opposes the Mad King and causes the fall of the house of Targaryen. Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister are said to appear.
Separate from the play, mxdwn has reported on the growing television franchise. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiered in February, earning an early renewal. And the third season of House of the Dragon arrives in June. Other pending series include the animated series focused on the Sea Snake, Corlys Velaryon, played by Steve Toussaint (Shooting Dogs).