The HBO/Royal Shakespeare Company stage production "Game of Thrones: The Mad King" finally opened its preview run on Tuesday evening at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, receiving a standing ovation, after producers had scrapped its first week of scheduled performances. Director Dominic Cooke told the audience beforehand that the show, set before the events of the original HBO series, was being staged for the first time and warned that a stoppage might be needed if technical problems arose, but the four-hour performance ran without interruption, easing concerns after a troubled build-up to opening.

The production had been due to begin previews on 20 July but producers cancelled the first four shows, citing the need for more time to refine the work, with a further preview on 25 July also called off at short notice. The disruption frustrated ticket-holders who had travelled long distances, some reportedly from as far as Canada, to the market town two hours from London. Early audience reaction has praised the acting, puppetry, sound and lighting, and the RSC has added extra performances to compensate, though availability remains limited across the show's two-month run ahead of its official opening on 8 August.