A highly anticipated stage prequel to the global television phenomenon, Game of Thrones, has been hit by further delays, with its second preview performance cancelled just hours before it was due to begin. 'Game of Thrones: The Mad King', presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon, was scheduled for a preview on 25 July, but the decision to cancel was announced approximately four hours before the 19:15 curtain.
This latest setback follows an earlier postponement of the play's initial preview, which was originally set for 20 July. Despite tickets for the production going on sale as far back as April, and the official opening night still planned for 8 August, no public previews have yet taken place. Preview performances are a crucial part of a theatrical production, allowing actors, directors, and technical teams to identify and address any issues before the official premiere.
The RSC issued a statement explaining the reasons behind the cancellation. The company acknowledged that the decision was not taken lightly, stating, "While we always work hard to avoid disappointment through cancelling performances, owing to the ambitious and epic nature of this production and faced with a number of unforeseen delays, we require additional time to bring Game of Thrones: The Mad King to a public audience." They added that the additional time was necessary for the "actors, creative and technical teams... to progress and refine the work in real time."
The play delves into the years preceding the main events depicted in George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" fantasy novels, on which the hit HBO series was based. Martin himself has expressed enthusiasm for the theatrical adaptation, stating upon the play's announcement, "Theatre offers something unique. A place for mine and the audience's imagination to meet and hopefully create something magical." The production marks a significant expansion of the Game of Thrones universe into live theatre.
Despite the challenges, the RSC has confirmed that the official opening night will proceed as planned on 8 August. A new preview performance is now scheduled for Tuesday, 29 July 2026. All audience members who had purchased tickets for the cancelled 25 July preview will receive full refunds, including any associated fees. The play, written by Duncan Macmillan, is expected to run in Stratford-upon-Avon until 5 September 2026.