George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King stage show is coming to London.

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Following its critically acclaimed world premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon this year, the production — based on novels by Thrones mastermind Martin and adapted by Duncan Macmillan — is set to hit the British capital in 2027. Dominic Cooke serves as director, with a venue, dates and London casting coming in due course.

“I had an absolutely splendid time in Stratford-upon-Avon for the premiere and am thrilled the production will be moving to London to share the experience with a wider audience,” said Martin, who is also an executive producer of the show. “It promises to be an exhilarating journey.”

The synopsis for the show is as follows: “Enter the world before. A long winter thaws in Harrenhal, and spring is promised. At a lavish banquet on the eve of a jousting tournament, lovers meet and revelers speculate about who will contend. But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the blood-thirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot.”

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“Far away, the drums of battle sound,” it continues. “Family bonds, ancient prophecies, and the sacred line of succession will be tested in a dangerous campaign for power. Who will survive? Who will rise? Wars aren’t won by those with most cause, but whose story’s best told.”

The cast for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre production included Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark, Elizabeth Ayodele as Princess Elia Martell, Maxim Ays as Ser Jaime Lannister, Miles Barrow as Benjen Stark, Islam Bouakkaz as Howland Reed, Luke Brady as Brandon Stark, Marty Breen as Catelyn Stark) and Sebastian Charles as Owen Merryweather. Famed characters Robert Baratheon, King Aerys II Targaryen, Lyanna Stark and Cersei Lannister also feature in the show.

The production was well-received by critics upon its July debut. The Guardian said the Game of Thrones prequel “has one joust after another, spectacular stagecraft and plenty of modern resonance” while The Times said it “lacks pace, sex and gore.” In a four-star review, The Independent said: “Fans of Game of Thrones are gleefully or grimly accustomed to its creator George R. R. Martin’s utterly pitiless narrative approach. Characters are audience faves one minute, dead the next… Where the show’s breakneck narrative pace makes little room for grief, theatre has its own, more emotive logic.”

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