The Royal Court Theatre, in association with Brian and Dayna Lee, has unveiled the full cast and creative team for the highly anticipated European premiere of Archduke. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph, best known for the acclaimed Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, the production brings together an elite creative trio. The play is directed by Lyndsey Turner and features set design by the world-renowned Es Devlin, whose previous work includes the visually stunning The Lehman Trilogy.
Set to run at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 20 June to 25 July 2026, Archduke is a darkly comic and irreverent reimagining of the events leading up to the First World War. The story is set in Belgrade in 1914, following three young, desperate men who are recruited for a mission of monumental proportions. Offered a meal and a sense of purpose, they are tasked with assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand—an act destined to set the twentieth century ablaze. The play explores the dangerous intersection of youthful restlessness and political extremism with biting wit and mounting tension.
The production boasts a multi-award-winning cast from across the worlds of drama and comedy. Olivier Award-winner Chris Walley leads the ensemble alongside Abraham Popoola and Stanley Morgan. Joining them are comedic powerhouses Janice Connolly, famous for her alter ego Mrs. Barbara Nice, and Marc Wootton, a British Comedy Award winner. This eclectic mix of performers is set to navigate the play’s unique blend of historical gravity and sharp humor.
The broader creative team is equally distinguished, featuring lighting designer Neil Austin, sound designer Tingying Dong, and costume designer Evie Gurney. Skylar Fox joins as illusion designer, adding a layer of theatrical magic to the Belgrade setting. Supported by a lead gift from Charles Holloway OBE, the production marks a major cultural moment for the Royal Court. With its press night scheduled for 26 June, Archduke arrives as a timely exploration of how lost individuals can be manipulated into changing the course of global history.
