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“Game of Thrones: The Mad King” is sharing some of the magic behind the scenes in a new video that shows how the stage at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon has been transformed for the show, which
launched earlier this month.
The show’s production design, overseen by set designer Chloe Lamford, is unlike anything ever seen before at the theatre, which is owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company. As well as excavating two stories down to accommodate stage lifts and scenery pieces measuring up to 20-foot high scenery pieces, the design includes 5,291 oz of rubber crumb chippings to create the textured floor, 1.58 miles of steel (not including the audience seating), and 5,000 individually hand-crafted leaves on the tree (which, for the eagle-eyed, also includes seven hidden faces).
As for the iconic throne, it is comprised of more than 300 swords and is entirely made from reused materials.
It took more than 4,000 hours of carpentry and engineering time to build the set, working with 11 external engineering companies, 19 internal staff and five freelancers.
The HBO/Royal Shakespeare Company co-production, which is inspired by George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series, is set before the events in in HBO’s “Game of Thrones” series. It is adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke.
The show opened a week later than planned due to technical difficulties but has almost sold out its entire run. It is due to close on Sept. 5 although fans are hoping for a West End transfer.
