Theatre News

Royal Court sets cast for Archduke European premiere

The play is inspired by the assassination of Franz Ferdinand

| London |

8 May 2026

The cast for Archduke, headshots supplied by the Royal Court

The Royal Court Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the European premiere of Archduke by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Lyndsey Turner and designed by Es Devlin.

The production will run in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 20 June to 25 July 2026, with a press night set for 26 June.

The cast includes Chris Walley (The Young Offenders), Abraham Popoola (Shiver) Stanley Morgan (The Little Foxes), Janice Connolly (known for Phoenix Nights and her comedy alter ego Mrs Barbara Nice) and Marc Wootton, winner of both the British Comedy Award and Rose d’Or Award.

Set in Belgrade in 1914, Archduke follows three young men offered both food and an opportunity to alter history, as they are tasked with assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The play reimagines the events leading to the outbreak of the First World War through a darkly comic lens.

The creative team also includes lighting designer Neil Austin, sound designer Tingying Dong, costume designer Evie Gurney, illusion designer Skylar Fox and casting director Julia Horan. Ryan O’Conner joins for props, while associate designers are Alice Hallifax and Temitayo Shonibare. Fight direction is by Sam Lyon-Behan.