The Royal Shakespeare Company has unveiled a 36-strong cast for the play “Game of Thrones: The Mad King,” with Michael Shaeffer in the title role of King Aerys II Targaryen.
The world premiere of the new play, adapted by Duncan Macmillan from George R. R. Martin’s novels, opens at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon on Aug. 8 and runs through Sept. 5. Set in the years before the events of Martin’s novels, the production follows the great houses of Westeros as ambition, family bonds and succession collide during the reign of the Mad King.
Noah Ritter plays Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, with Harmony Rose-Bremner as Lyanna Stark, Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark and Callum Woodhouse as Lord Robert Baratheon. Luke Brady takes the role of Brandon Stark alongside Alexander Newland as Lord Rickard Stark and Miles Barrow as Benjen Stark. Mariah Gale appears as Queen Rhaella Targaryen and Lady Shella Whent, with Marcello Walton doubling as Ser Jonothor Darry and Lord Tywin Lannister.
Further casting sees Maxim Ays as Ser Jaime Lannister, Daisy Franks as Cersei Lannister, Edem-Ita Duke as Oberyn Martell, Elizabeth Ayodele as Princess Elia Martell and Hughie O’Donnell as Lord Varys. Kel Matsena plays Ser Arthur Dayne, Daniel Hawksford takes Ser Barristan Selmy, and Richard Hansell appears as Grand Maester Pycelle. Marty Breen is cast as Catelyn Stark, Tanisha Spring as Ashara Dayne and Islam Bouakkaz as Howland Reed.
Adrian Christopher plays Prince Lewyn Martell, Shaun Yusef McKee takes Ser Gerold Hightower, Huw Parmenter appears as Ser Oswell Whent, Sebastian Charles as Owen Merryweather, Fred Davis as Qarlton Chelsted and Tom Larkin as Lord Whent and Wisdom Rossart. Rounding out the company in ensemble and swing roles are Ronan Cullen, Simi Egbejumi-David, Lewis Howard, April Nerissa Hudson, Chelsea Marie, Kate Rowsell, Tom Stacy, Matt Tait and Tzarina-Nassor.
Director Dominic Cooke said: “I’m very lucky to be working alongside such a talented group of artists on this show. The creative team and cast are exceptional and we’re super excited to bring Duncan Macmillan’s brilliant script and George R. R. Martin’s vivid imaginative world to life on stage. I’m delighted to return to the RSC, backed by their dedicated team, and I can’t wait to share our epic show with audiences in Stratford this summer.”
Martin, who serves as executive producer and creator, said: “I love this cast — they bring all the strengths, flaws and intricacies within these characters that drive this important chapter of Westerosi history. They have a fire in them, and I can’t wait to see them bring that fire to the stage.”
The creative team includes set designer Chloe Lamford, costume designer Georgia McGuinness, lighting designer Jon Clark, composer Will Stuart, sound designer Tom Gibbons, puppetry and movement directors Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell of Lume, fight director Bethan Clark and intimacy director Ingrid Mackinnon. Casting is by Amy Ball CDG.
“Game of Thrones: The Mad King” is co-produced with Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, Mark Manuel, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures on behalf of HBO, and Sir Leonard Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment.
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