Enter the world before George R.R. Martin's legendary novels

Premiering at the Royal Shakespeare Company this month, Game Of Thrones: The Mad King is a prequel to the original books and HBO’s long-running television series. 

Described as ‘a sweeping new stage epic’, the production spans the final years before the events of the original novels, which were written by George RR Martin, who is serving as executive producer on the show. 

“When I first wrote Game Of Thrones, I never imagined that it would be anything other than a book,” says George. “For me, the RSC was the obvious choice when thinking about putting a Game Of Thrones story on the stage. Shakespeare is the greatest name in English literature, and his plays have been a constant source of inspiration to me and my writing.”

The cast of Game of Thrones: The Mad King comprises Michael Abubakar (Eddard Stark), Elizabeth Ayodele (Princess Elia Martell), Maxim Ays (Ser Jaime Lannister), Miles Barrow (Benjen Stark), Islam Bouakkaz (Howland Reed), Luke Brady (Brandon Stark), Marty Breen (Catelyn Stark), Sebastian Charles (Owen Merryweather / Ensemble), Adrian Christopher (Prince Lewyn Martell / Ensemble), Ronan Cullen (Ensemble/Swing), Fred Davis (Qarlton Chelsted / Ensemble), Edem-Ita Duke (Oberyn Martell), Simi Egbejumi-David (Ensemble), Daisy Franks (Cersei Lannister / Ensemble), Mariah Gale (Queen Rhaella Targaryen / Lady Shella Whent), Richard Hansell (Grand Maester Pycelle), Daniel Hawksford (Ser Barristan Selmy), Lewis Howard (Ensemble), April Nerissa Hudson (Ensemble), Tom Larkin (Lord Whent / Wisdom Rossart/Ensemble), Chelsea Marie (Ensemble), Kel Matsena (Ser Arthur Dayne), Shaun Yusuf McKee (Ser Gerold Hightower / Ensemble), Alexander Newland (Lord Rickard Stark), Hughie O’Donnell (Lord Varys), Huw Parmenter (Ser Oswell Whent), Noah Ritter (Prince Rhaegar Targaryen), Harmony Rose-Bremner (Lyanna Stark), Kate Rowsell (Ensemble/Swing), Michael Shaeffer (King Aerys II Targaryen), Tanisha Spring (Ashara Dayne), Tom Stacy (Ensemble/Swing), Matt Tait (Ensemble), Tzarina-Nassor (Ensemble), Marcello Walton (Ser Jonothor Darry / Lord Tywin Lannister) and Callum Woodhouse (Lord Robert Baratheon).