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Archduke

 
Richard Beck Review by Richard Beck 5 Published: 30 Jun 2026 Royal Court Theatre Show Dates: 20 Jun 2026-25 Jul 2026

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie, if not the cause of the First World War, was certainly the catalyst that incited nations to take up arms against each other. By naming his play at the Royal Court Theatre Archduke, Rajiv Joseph keeps the perpetrator of this momentous event out of the limelight, much as history has done. Most people know of the Archduke and many could name a host of political leaders and military figures who dominated the 1914–18 period, but what was the assassin’s name?

A joyously entertaining production, rooted in history yet full surprises and dramatic licence

Despite its title, the Archduke himself doesn’t appear in this play. Those expecting palaces, pomp and politics are in for a surprise. Archduke is rooted in the world of the downtrodden, oppressed and rebellious. From these ranks Gavrilo Princip was groomed. For his actions he should have become famous, yet he remains largely unknown by name, albeit a hero to some and villain to others. He was aged only 19 when he pulled the trigger, so even martyrdom escaped him, as the death sentence could be passed only on people of 20 years and older. Instead, he received the maximum sentence of 20 years, but passed away four years later, maintaining that the war was inevitable and that he was not the cause.

He died of tuberculosis and Archduke begins with the revelation of his diagnosis. It was a common condition at the time and was shared by the other two who turn up to an abandoned warehouse to discover their mission. It’s a cavernous rounded tunnel, reminiscent of Tito’s giant bunker near Mostar, chillingly designed by Es Devlin and vast enough for the spectacular train carriage to enter on tracks for the final scene. The ominous nature of the place is enhanced by the mood lighting of Neil Austin and eerie soundscape of Tingying Dong.

The lads are curious as to why they are there and even more concerned as to how they will assuage their hunger. Sandwiches go on to play a significant role, including the apocryphal tale of Princip only having the opportunity to commit his crime after the initial failed attempt. What emerges is that they have been chosen by Dragutin ‘Apis’ Dimitrijević (Marc Wootton), the Serbian army officer behind the Black Hand paramilitary secret society and assassin of King Alexander I of Serbia and Queen Draga, the details of whose disembowelling and defenestration he tells with great relish.

Apart from the specifics of the play, it’s a universal tale of how the poor, disaffected and disenfranchised can be recruited to revolutionary causes. The three ‘lungers’, so-called because of their illness, have nothing to live for and know that they will in any case die at an early age. A moment of glory in a nationalist cause is not to be turned down.

It’s a heavy subject but in Joseph’s Archduke, comedy, albeit dark, prevails. The trio of Stanley Morgan (Princip), Chris Walley (Nedeljko), with a delightful Cork accent that adds another dimension to his character, and Abraham Popoola (Trifko) play off each other and are puppets in the hands of the eccentric and entertaining master of ceremonies, Wootton. An endearing performance from Janice Connolly as the housekeeper, Sladjana, is full of mischief.

Director Lyndsey Turner has clearly relished maximising the potential of this script and an air of enjoyment from the cast is palpable as they invest in their characters. It makes for a joyously entertaining production, rooted in history yet full of surprises and dramatic licence.

Amir Nisi

Richard Beck

A graduate in theology and education, Richard acted and contributed to dance, drama and music productions throughout his teaching career. He joined Broadway Baby in 2014 and is now our Editor-in-Chief. He usually disappears to warmer climes for the winter to pursue his passion for travel.

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The Blurb:

'Maybe the world don’t have to end at all. We can just get off the train… go get a sandwich.' 

Belgrade, 1914. Three hungry young men are offered something to eat (and the chance to change the course of history). 

Their mission: kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand and set the century alight. 

A wild, heartfelt and occasionally accurate tale of history’s most reluctant radicals, from Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Guards at the Taj, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo). Lyndsey Turner (The Crucible, 1536) directs this European premiere, designed by Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy).

This production has been supported by a lead gift from Charles Holloway OBE.

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