Westeros Hits the Stage! ‘The Mad King’ Prequel to Reveal Young Heroes’ Secrets
Westeros is officially coming to the stage this summer with a new play titled The Mad King, debuting at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Developed with help from George R.R. Martin, the story takes us back to the legendary Tournament of Harrenhal, years before the events of Game of Thrones. You’ll get to see much younger versions of fan favorites like Ned Stark, Jaime Lannister, and Robert Baratheon. At the heart of the drama is Lyanna Stark—described as a “live wire” and a skilled swordswoman—whose secret “Romeo and Juliet” romance with Prince Rhaegar sets the whole tragic history of the Seven Kingdoms in motion.
The creators want the show to be a hit for everyone, whether you’ve read every book or are completely new to the series. It’s essentially a coming-of-age story focused on characters in their 20s as they navigate a world of duty and rebellion. If you’re looking to grab a seat, tickets go on sale in April, and there’s already talk of the production moving to London’s West End after its first run. It’s a rare chance to see a more intimate, human side of the epic power struggles we usually only see on a massive scale.
