Producers Simon Painter and Tim Lawson in partnership with Kilburn Live have announced plans for a major new stage production of Game of Thrones, which is now in development ahead of a planned 2023 debut.
Working alongside author George R.R. Martin, the play is being written and adapted by award-winning playwright Duncan MacMillan and helmed by acclaimed UK director Dominic Cooke.
Set at a pivotal moment in the history of the series, the play will for the first time take audiences deeper behind the scenes of a landmark event that previously was shrouded in mystery. Featuring many of the most iconic and well-known characters from the series, the production will boast a story centered around love, vengeance, madness and the dangers of dealing in prophecy, in the process revealing secrets and lies that have only been hinted at until now.
“The seeds of war are often planted in times of peace. Few in Westeros knew the carnage to come when highborn and smallfolk alike gathered at Harrenhal to watch the finest knights of the realm compete in a great tourney, during the Year of the False Spring. It is a tourney oft referred during HBO’s GAME OF THRONES, and in my novels, A SONG OF ICE & FIRE… and now, at last, we can tell the whole story… on the stage.
“An amazing team has been assembled to tell the tale, starting with producers Simon Painter, Tim Lawson and Jonathan Sanford. Their knowledge and love of my world and characters has impressed me from the very first, and their plans for this production blew me away since the first time we met. Dominic Cooke, our director, is a former Artistic Director of London’s Royal Court Theatre, who brought Shakespeare’s dramas of the War of the Roses to television, and our playwright, Duncan Macmillan, has previously adapted George Orwell and Henrik Ibsen, among others. Working with them (back before the pandemic, when we could actually get together) has been a treat, and I am eager for our collaboration to resume. Our dream is to bring Westeros to Broadway, to the West End, to Australia… and eventually, to a stage near you.
It ought to be spectacular.”
-George R.R. Martin
The play will be written by Duncan MacMillan, whose theatrical work includes Lungs; People, Places and Things; Every Brilliant Thing; Rosmersholm (adapt. Henrik Ibsen) and 1984 (adapt. George Orwell, co-written and co-directed with Robert Icke).
Teaming up with MacMillan to bring Game of Thrones to life on stage is Dominic Cooke, who previously was the Artistic Director of London’s Royal Court Theatre from 2007 to 2013. His production of Sondheim’s Follies at the National Theatre, where he is an Associate, was nominated for 10 Olivier awards. He has recently successfully transitioned to TV and film with The Hollow Crown: Wars of the Roses, On Chesil Beach, and The Courier.
Producer Simon Painter is best known for creating large scale touring shows including The Illusionists franchise which he launched with Tim Lawson. His productions have played in over 400 cities in 40 countries while breaking numerous records on Broadway. In addition, Lawson has created and produced theatrical shows around the globe such as Fiddler on the Roof, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, A Chorus Line and Jekyll and Hyde.
Working in tandem with the pair to executive this grand vision is Kilburn Live, the global market leader in branded live entertainment with a roster of live events and experiences that include Dr. Seuss, Peanuts, Nerf, Power Rangers, and many more. Mark Manuel is the CEO of Kilburn Media.
In addition to Painter and Lawson, Vince Gerardis and Jonathan Sanford will serve as executive producers.
