A compelling, triumphant and magnificently staged production.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
What’s it about?
Set around 16 years before the events of Game of Thrones, The Mad King takes audiences back to Westeros during the reign of Aerys II Targaryen – the increasingly unstable ruler whose actions would ultimately earn him his infamous nickname.
Against a backdrop of political rivalries, shifting alliances, tournaments and battles, the story brings together younger versions of characters and families that Game of Thrones fans will immediately recognise. At its centre is the chain of events that will eventually lead to Robert’s Rebellion, the fall of the Targaryen dynasty and the world we encounter at the beginning of Game of Thrones.
For existing fans, there is great fun in seeing pieces of Westerosi history that have previously only been talked about brought vividly to life. But you don’t need an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Seven Kingdoms to follow it: at heart, this is an epic story of power, loyalty, ambition and a kingdom beginning to tear itself apart.
What we loved
Bringing the vast world of Game of Thrones to the stage is an enormous challenge, but the Royal Shakespeare Company rises to it with remarkable confidence. This is epic theatre in every sense of the word, and the creative team succeeds in making you feel as though you've stepped straight into Westeros. Despite running for almost four hours, the production stays thoroughly engaging.
The set design is particularly ingenious. The circular playing space has been maximised to create a real sense of scale, allowing lengthy processions and battle sequences to travel across the stage so they genuinely feel as though armies are marching across great distances. The production also makes excellent use of height, with a giant metal ring dominating the space. This not only creates an imposing visual centrepiece but cleverly conceals scenery and props that descend throughout the performance, including the impressive royal canopies used during the jousting tournament.
The battle sequences are among the production's biggest achievements. Action on stage can rarely compete with film, yet these scenes are thrilling and inventive. The creative team uses lighting and sound to freeze moments in time, heightening the drama and allowing key images to linger.
The production also benefits from outstanding puppetry. Fans of War Horse will recognise the craftsmanship behind the life-sized horses, magnificently dressed in armour and brought to life by teams of skilled puppeteers. Giant armoured puppets are also deployed during the battles and jousts, creating a thrilling theatrical spectacle that feels both imaginative and completely at home within the world of Westeros.
When the Iron Throne itself finally appears, it receives a spontaneous round of applause from the audience. It is an extraordinary piece of scenery and a genuinely thrilling moment of theatre.
Perhaps most importantly, this feels like exactly the kind of production the Royal Shakespeare Company was born to stage. George R. R. Martin's language carries an almost Shakespearean quality, and hearing these characters speak within the RSC's walls feels surprisingly natural. The cast fully embraces that style, delivering confident performances throughout. With such a large company, this is very much an ensemble achievement, with performers seamlessly switching between multiple roles while also contributing to the demanding puppetry.
Anything we'd change
The stylised lighting used during many of the battle scenes is visually effective, but is a little overused, with the stage falling into darkness just as you want to watch the choreography unfold in full.
Who would enjoy this?
Fans of Game of Thrones but you certainly don't need encyclopaedic knowledge of the franchise to appreciate the storytelling.
Verdict
This is one of the RSC's most ambitious productions in recent years, and remarkably, it delivers. With inventive staging, breathtaking puppetry, an outstanding ensemble and a genuine sense of scale, it successfully translates one of television's biggest fantasy worlds into compelling live theatre. It's an epic undertaking—and one the RSC pulls off with impressive confidence.