<\/p>\n
The Royal Shakespeare Company \u2014 the institution synonymous with the Bard himself \u2014 is turning its attention to Westeros.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Game of Thrones: The Mad King<\/span><\/i>, a new prequel play based on the fantasy universe created by <\/span>George R.R. Martin<\/b>, will debut at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon on July 20 and run through September 5, with an official opening night on August 8.<\/span><\/p>\n On April 2, the RSC <\/span>took to Facebook<\/span><\/a> with the news, writing: \u201cA long winter thaws in Harrenhal, and spring is promised\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n For those who follow institutional theater, the pairing of one of the English-speaking world\u2019s most revered stage companies with a blockbuster fantasy franchise is a striking creative proposition \u2014 and one with considerable artistic firepower behind it.<\/span><\/p>\n Among the most compelling details in the RSC\u2019s <\/span>announcement<\/span><\/a> is the staging concept. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre will be reconfigured for the production, with the audience seated around a cross-shaped stage.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018House of the Dragon\u2019 Showrunner Teases Some of the Biggest Moments to Come in Season 2<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIn a bold new configuration of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, this show will play on a cross shaped stage \u2013 you\u2019ll be in the heart of the action,\u201d the announcement stated.<\/span><\/p>\n That configuration places theatergoers at the center of the drama rather than viewing it from a conventional remove \u2014 a choice that signals an immersive, experiential approach to the material and a willingness to physically reshape one of Britain\u2019s most storied performance spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n The creative team assembled for <\/span>The Mad King<\/span><\/i> carries significant weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The play is directed by <\/span>Dominic Cooke<\/b>, with a script adapted by <\/span>Duncan Macmillan<\/b>. Puppetry and movement are handled by <\/span>Nick Barnes<\/b> and <\/span>Finn Caldwell<\/b> of Lume, the company known for its large-scale theatrical creature work.<\/span><\/p>\n The broader design ensemble is equally notable. <\/span>Chloe Lamford<\/b> serves as set designer, <\/span>Georgia McGuinness<\/b> as costume designer, <\/span>Jon Clark<\/b> as lighting designer and <\/span>Will Stuart<\/b> as composer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sound design is by <\/span>Tom Gibbons<\/b>. Casting is by <\/span>Amy Ball<\/b> CDG, with voice and text direction by <\/span>Jeannette Nelson<\/b> and dialect work by <\/span>Hazel Holder<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n Netflix\u2019s \u2018Something Very Bad\u2019 Ending Is Wilder Than You Think<\/a><\/p>\n Additional credits include associate director <\/span>Emily Raymond<\/b>, associa<\/span>e puppetry and movement director <\/span>Scarlet Wilderink<\/b>, period dance consultant <\/span>Francesca Roche<\/b>, creative consultant <\/span>Ti Mikkel<\/b>, associate set designer <\/span>Machiko Weston<\/b>, associate costume designer <\/span>Alex Berry<\/b>, associate sound designer <\/span>Alex Twiselton<\/b> and assistant director <\/span>Lenore Gallegos<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n No cast has been announced yet.<\/span><\/p>\n George R.R. Martin has drawn an explicit connection between his storytelling ambitions and the RSC\u2019s theatrical heritage \u2014 framing the collaboration not as a commercial licensing exercise but as an artistic kinship.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor 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,\u201d he said in February, per <\/span>Entertainment Weekly<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNot only that, he faced similar challenges in how to put a battle on stage, so we are in good company. It will be thrilling to watch the events of this new play unfold in a live environment,\u201d he continued.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat to Know About the Royal Shakespeare Theatre<\/h2>\n
The Creative Team Behind \u2018Game of Thrones: The Mad King\u2019<\/h2>\n
George R.R. Martin Draws a Line to Shakespeare<\/h2>\n