Preview of Game of Thrones play cancelled hours before curtain

A preview of the stage prequel for hit TV show Game of Thrones was cancelled just hours before the performance - with previous delay having already hit the production.

The highly-anticipated Game of Thrones: The Mad King is to run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon, with the play marking a major shift in media for a story which began in novels before being adapted for screen.

But a preview set for 20 July was postponed for several days, with the next show - planned for 25 July - cancelled about four hours before curtain.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), which is performing the play, said the decision was to allow time to "progress and refine" the production.

The play covers the years before the main events in novelist George R.R Martin's series of fantasy tales: A Song of Ice and Fire.

In a statement announcing the play, the first to be based on his books, Martin said: "For my work to now be adapted for the stage is something I did not expect but welcome with great enthusiasm and excitement.

"Theatre offers something unique. A place for mine and the audience's imagination to meet and hopefully create something magical."

However, despite tickets going on sale in April, and the opening night of the main run slated for 8 August, no previews have taken place.

Preview performances are used by productions to iron out any glitches before the official opening, meaning by the time of the premiere, the performance is as perfect as it can be.

The RSC said the decision to cancel the preview on 25 July just hours before the 19:15 curtain was not taken lightly.

In a statement to the BBC, the company said: "While we always work hard to avoid disappointment through cancelling performances, owing to the ambitious and epic nature of this production and faced with a number of unforeseen delays, we require additional time to bring Game of Thrones: The Mad King to a public audience."

It added: "The decision to delay the first preview was taken to allow the actors, creative and technical teams the additional time necessary to progress and refine the work in real time."

The RSC confirmed the official opening would take place on 8 August as originally planned, with a preview now set for Tuesday.

Customers who had paid to see the earlier previews would receive full refunds including any fees paid, it said.

Game of Thrones: The Mad King is written by Duncan Macmillan and is due to run in Stratford until 5 September,

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