Diehard Game of Thrones fans will cheer watching The Mad King play, it's a spectacle

For Isaiah Reed, the 14-year-old who just landed the role of a lifetime as Howland Reed in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of The Mad King, the journey begins in a woodland skirmish. His character, a young boy, is rescued from a mugging by Lyanna Stark and her clan, including a young Eddard Stark. This seemingly inconsequential incident sets off a chain reaction that will lead to the infamous Great Tourney of Harrenhal, a pivotal event Westeros. But for fans of the franchise, the real spectacle is not just the elaborate battles and royal plots, but the opportunity to see the origins of the Mad King, King Aerys II Targaryen, come to life on stage.

While the production features several familiar faces, including Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon, it's not a straightforward adaptation of George RR Martin's iconic fantasy adventure. Instead, it's a new story that sits within the pre-existing narrative, and is now firmly touted as canon. Set 17 to 18 years before the events of the TV series, the RSC's production takes what we already know and imagines the regime-shifting run-up to the fall of the Mad King. And it all begins with that woodland skirmish, which sets the stage for the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that will ultimately lead to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty.

The production features a talented young cast, including Islam Bouakkaz as Howland Reed, Harmony Rose-Bremner as Lyanna Stark, and Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark. But it's not just the new faces that make this production stand out, it's the way the RSC has woven together the existing lore to create a new narrative that feels both authentic and fresh. From the False Spring to the Great Tourney of Harrenhal, the production brings to life a pivotal moment in the history of Westeros, one that has been shrouded in mystery until now.

At the heart of the production is the complex and troubled character of King Aerys II Targaryen, played by Michael Shaeffer. As the Mad King's descent into madness accelerates, his son Prince Rhaegar (played by Noah Ritter) and his associates hatch a plot to bring rival houses together to overthrow their increasingly unbalanced and paranoid ruler. But their plans are thrown into disarray when Rhaegar refuses to crown his wife, Princess Elia Martell, as Queen Of Love And Beauty, instead bestowing the honour on Lyanna Stark. This unexpected twist sets off a chain reaction that will lead to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty and the rise of a new king.

The production features all the hallmarks of a Game of Thrones epic: elaborate battles, royal plots, and complex characters. But it's not just the action and drama that make this production stand out, it's the way it brings to life the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that underpins the world of Westeros. From the Great Tourney of Harrenhal to the False Spring, the production is a spectacle that will leave fans cheering and eager for more.

For fans of Game of Thrones, the production of The Mad King is a journey worth taking. It's a chance to see the origins of the Mad King come to life on stage, and to experience the epic battles and royal plots that have made the franchise a global phenomenon. With a talented young cast and a complex narrative that feels both authentic and fresh, this production is a must-see for anyone who loves the world of Westeros. And as Isaiah Reed takes to the stage as Howland Reed, it's clear that the journey is just beginning.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of The Mad King is a spectacle that will leave fans cheering and eager for more. With its complex narrative, intricate web of alliances and rivalries, and epic battles, it's a journey worth taking for anyone who loves the world of Westeros.