The Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage prequel “Game of Thrones: The Mad King,” set roughly a decade before HBO’s series, is now playing in London and is prompting largely positive but mixed critical reactions. Reviewers describe major set-piece action, including jousts, swordplay, and dragon imagery, along with a focus on King Aerys II Targaryen and the political plotting around his downfall.
Across outlets, the production’s visual spectacle is a central theme. Critics highlight redesigned staging that brings audiences close to a cruciform performance space, along with large puppet horses, handler-operated mounted characters, and striking dragon effects. Some reviewers praise the show’s ability to link story elements from George R. R. Martin’s wider “Song of Ice and Fire” canon, calling it engaging for both avid fans and newcomers. Others argue the pacing and length—reported as nearly four hours—can become exhausting and that, while it offers “Easter eggs” for dedicated viewers, it does not fully match the TV series’ darker tone.
The differing angles also touch on tone and storytelling balance. Several reviews call it epic and well-paced overall, citing an interval and strong dramatic beats, while a minority describe it as “stolid” or exhausting, particularly for those seeking the same grim aura as the screen version. The play runs at London’s Globe Theatre until 5 September.
