Plays
Plays
Plays
Book Archduke Tickets at the Royal Court Theatre in London
A Darkly Comic Take on History's Most Consequential Assassination
Book your Archduke tickets for the European premiere of Rajiv Joseph's razor-sharp new play at the Royal Court Theatre. Directed by Lyndsey Turner and designed by Es Devlin, this wild, heartfelt and occasionally accurate tale follows history's most reluctant radicals as they stumble towards igniting the 20th century.
The Story
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. From Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Guards at the Taj, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), Archduke reimagines one of history's pivotal moments as an absurdist comedy, exploring how unlikely people can change the trajectory of the world.
A World-Class Creative Team
Lyndsey Turner (The Crucible, 1536) directs this European premiere, with design by Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy). Joseph's signature razor-sharp wit and imagination transform a familiar historical event into a fresh, thought-provoking theatrical experience.
Book Your Archduke Tickets Today
Experience this explosive new play on the London stage. Book your Archduke tickets with tickadoo now.
What Is Archduke About?
Archduke reimagines the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the event that triggered World War I, through the eyes of the young Serbian conspirators. Using dark comedy, the play explores how history's great events are often shaped by the least qualified people.
Who Wrote Archduke?
Archduke is written by Rajiv Joseph, a Pulitzer Prize finalist known for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo and Guards at the Taj.
Is This a Comedy?
Yes, though it's dark comedy. Joseph uses humor and absurdism to explore serious themes about history, violence, and destiny.
Performance Dates
Archduke plays at the Royal Court Theatre's Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 20 June to 25 July 2026.
Getting to the Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is located at Sloane Square. Sloane Square Station (District and Circle lines) is directly opposite the theatre.
Part of the 70th Anniversary Season
Archduke is part of the Royal Court Theatre's 70th anniversary season, marking the European premiere of this acclaimed play.
These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS, United Kingdom
Book Archduke Tickets at the Royal Court Theatre in London
A Darkly Comic Take on History's Most Consequential Assassination
Book your Archduke tickets for the European premiere of Rajiv Joseph's razor-sharp new play at the Royal Court Theatre. Directed by Lyndsey Turner and designed by Es Devlin, this wild, heartfelt and occasionally accurate tale follows history's most reluctant radicals as they stumble towards igniting the 20th century.
The Story
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. From Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Guards at the Taj, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), Archduke reimagines one of history's pivotal moments as an absurdist comedy, exploring how unlikely people can change the trajectory of the world.
A World-Class Creative Team
Lyndsey Turner (The Crucible, 1536) directs this European premiere, with design by Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy). Joseph's signature razor-sharp wit and imagination transform a familiar historical event into a fresh, thought-provoking theatrical experience.
Book Your Archduke Tickets Today
Experience this explosive new play on the London stage. Book your Archduke tickets with tickadoo now.
What Is Archduke About?
Archduke reimagines the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the event that triggered World War I, through the eyes of the young Serbian conspirators. Using dark comedy, the play explores how history's great events are often shaped by the least qualified people.
Who Wrote Archduke?
Archduke is written by Rajiv Joseph, a Pulitzer Prize finalist known for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo and Guards at the Taj.
Is This a Comedy?
Yes, though it's dark comedy. Joseph uses humor and absurdism to explore serious themes about history, violence, and destiny.
Performance Dates
Archduke plays at the Royal Court Theatre's Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 20 June to 25 July 2026.
Getting to the Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is located at Sloane Square. Sloane Square Station (District and Circle lines) is directly opposite the theatre.
Part of the 70th Anniversary Season
Archduke is part of the Royal Court Theatre's 70th anniversary season, marking the European premiere of this acclaimed play.
These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS, United Kingdom
Book Archduke Tickets at the Royal Court Theatre in London
A Darkly Comic Take on History's Most Consequential Assassination
Book your Archduke tickets for the European premiere of Rajiv Joseph's razor-sharp new play at the Royal Court Theatre. Directed by Lyndsey Turner and designed by Es Devlin, this wild, heartfelt and occasionally accurate tale follows history's most reluctant radicals as they stumble towards igniting the 20th century.
The Story
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. From Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Guards at the Taj, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), Archduke reimagines one of history's pivotal moments as an absurdist comedy, exploring how unlikely people can change the trajectory of the world.
A World-Class Creative Team
Lyndsey Turner (The Crucible, 1536) directs this European premiere, with design by Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy). Joseph's signature razor-sharp wit and imagination transform a familiar historical event into a fresh, thought-provoking theatrical experience.
Book Your Archduke Tickets Today
Experience this explosive new play on the London stage. Book your Archduke tickets with tickadoo now.
Performance Dates
Archduke plays at the Royal Court Theatre's Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 20 June to 25 July 2026.
Getting to the Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is located at Sloane Square. Sloane Square Station (District and Circle lines) is directly opposite the theatre.
Part of the 70th Anniversary Season
Archduke is part of the Royal Court Theatre's 70th anniversary season, marking the European premiere of this acclaimed play.
What Is Archduke About?
Archduke reimagines the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the event that triggered World War I, through the eyes of the young Serbian conspirators. Using dark comedy, the play explores how history's great events are often shaped by the least qualified people.
Who Wrote Archduke?
Archduke is written by Rajiv Joseph, a Pulitzer Prize finalist known for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo and Guards at the Taj.
Is This a Comedy?
Yes, though it's dark comedy. Joseph uses humor and absurdism to explore serious themes about history, violence, and destiny.
These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS, United Kingdom
Book Archduke Tickets at the Royal Court Theatre in London
A Darkly Comic Take on History's Most Consequential Assassination
Book your Archduke tickets for the European premiere of Rajiv Joseph's razor-sharp new play at the Royal Court Theatre. Directed by Lyndsey Turner and designed by Es Devlin, this wild, heartfelt and occasionally accurate tale follows history's most reluctant radicals as they stumble towards igniting the 20th century.
The Story
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. From Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Guards at the Taj, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), Archduke reimagines one of history's pivotal moments as an absurdist comedy, exploring how unlikely people can change the trajectory of the world.
A World-Class Creative Team
Lyndsey Turner (The Crucible, 1536) directs this European premiere, with design by Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy). Joseph's signature razor-sharp wit and imagination transform a familiar historical event into a fresh, thought-provoking theatrical experience.
Book Your Archduke Tickets Today
Experience this explosive new play on the London stage. Book your Archduke tickets with tickadoo now.
Performance Dates
Archduke plays at the Royal Court Theatre's Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 20 June to 25 July 2026.
Getting to the Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is located at Sloane Square. Sloane Square Station (District and Circle lines) is directly opposite the theatre.
Part of the 70th Anniversary Season
Archduke is part of the Royal Court Theatre's 70th anniversary season, marking the European premiere of this acclaimed play.
What Is Archduke About?
Archduke reimagines the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the event that triggered World War I, through the eyes of the young Serbian conspirators. Using dark comedy, the play explores how history's great events are often shaped by the least qualified people.
Who Wrote Archduke?
Archduke is written by Rajiv Joseph, a Pulitzer Prize finalist known for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo and Guards at the Taj.
Is This a Comedy?
Yes, though it's dark comedy. Joseph uses humor and absurdism to explore serious themes about history, violence, and destiny.
These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS, United Kingdom
Share this:
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 12 32 C 5.373 32 0 26.627 0 20 L 0 12 C 0 5.373 5.373 0 12 0 L 20 0 C 26.627 0 32 5.373 32 12 L 32 20 C 32 26.627 26.627 32 20 32 Z" fill="rgb(30, 33, 41)" height="32px" id="ky4gOuLjo" width="32px"/><path d="M 8.767 5.571 L 8.767 9.056 L 13.079 9.056 L 12.396 13.752 L 8.767 13.752 L 8.767 24.569 C 8.04 24.67 7.295 24.723 6.54 24.723 C 5.667 24.723 4.811 24.653 3.977 24.519 L 3.977 13.752 L 0 13.752 L 0 9.056 L 3.977 9.056 L 3.977 4.792 C 3.977 2.146 6.121 0 8.768 0 L 8.768 0.002 C 8.776 0.002 8.783 0 8.791 0 L 13.08 0 L 13.08 4.061 L 10.277 4.061 C 9.444 4.061 8.768 4.737 8.768 5.57 Z" fill="rgb(255, 255, 255)" height="24.72285px" id="DtHjq1qhS" transform="translate(9 6.639)" width="13.080100000000002px"/></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 12 32 C 5.373 32 0 26.627 0 20 L 0 12 C 0 5.373 5.373 0 12 0 L 20 0 C 26.627 0 32 5.373 32 12 L 32 20 C 32 26.627 26.627 32 20 32 Z" fill="rgb(30, 33, 41)" height="32px" id="UA1o2a2uJ" width="32px"/><path d="M 0.046 0 L 7.425 9.866 L 0 17.887 L 1.672 17.887 L 8.173 10.865 L 13.425 17.887 L 19.112 17.887 L 11.318 7.467 L 18.23 0 L 16.558 0 L 10.572 6.468 L 5.734 0 L 0.047 0 Z M 2.503 1.231 L 5.116 1.231 L 16.653 16.656 L 14.04 16.656 Z" fill="rgb(255, 255, 255)" height="17.8874px" id="TSciQ9S_E" transform="translate(6 7)" width="19.1121px"/></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 12 32 C 5.373 32 0 26.627 0 20 L 0 12 C 0 5.373 5.373 0 12 0 L 20 0 C 26.627 0 32 5.373 32 12 L 32 20 C 32 26.627 26.627 32 20 32 Z" fill="rgb(30, 33, 41)" height="32px" id="xdLQYfHnV" width="32px"/><path d="M 0.631 3.514 C 0.21 3.122 0 2.638 0 2.062 C 0 1.485 0.211 0.98 0.631 0.587 C 1.053 0.196 1.595 0 2.26 0 C 2.925 0 3.446 0.196 3.867 0.587 C 4.288 0.979 4.498 1.471 4.498 2.062 C 4.498 2.653 4.287 3.122 3.867 3.514 C 3.445 3.905 2.91 4.101 2.26 4.101 C 1.61 4.101 1.053 3.905 0.631 3.514 Z M 4.144 5.758 L 4.144 17.754 L 0.353 17.754 L 0.353 5.758 Z" fill="rgb(254, 255, 252)" height="17.753999897003176px" id="Zv6rByum0" transform="translate(7 7)" width="4.4979px"/><path d="M 10.514 1.345 C 11.34 2.242 11.753 3.473 11.753 5.041 L 11.753 11.944 L 8.153 11.944 L 8.153 5.527 C 8.153 4.737 7.948 4.122 7.538 3.685 C 7.129 3.248 6.578 3.028 5.887 3.028 C 5.196 3.028 4.645 3.247 4.236 3.685 C 3.826 4.122 3.621 4.737 3.621 5.527 L 3.621 11.944 L 0 11.944 L 0 0.127 L 3.621 0.127 L 3.621 1.694 C 3.988 1.172 4.482 0.759 5.103 0.455 C 5.724 0.151 6.423 0 7.2 0 C 8.583 0 9.689 0.449 10.514 1.344 Z" fill="rgb(254, 255, 252)" height="11.944400000000002px" id="dfdmamu8Y" transform="translate(13.248 12.598)" width="11.7526px"/></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 12 32 C 5.373 32 0 26.627 0 20 L 0 12 C 0 5.373 5.373 0 12 0 L 20 0 C 26.627 0 32 5.373 32 12 L 32 20 C 32 26.627 26.627 32 20 32 Z" fill="rgb(30, 33, 41)" height="32px" id="J9JiXq34v" width="32px"/><path d="M 19.885 8.584 C 19.619 7.379 18.518 6.598 17.426 6.839 C 17.054 6.921 16.734 7.112 16.48 7.375 C 15.01 6.307 13.004 5.602 10.763 5.469 L 11.835 1.002 L 15.018 1.764 C 15.071 2.634 15.792 3.323 16.675 3.323 C 17.559 3.323 18.337 2.579 18.337 1.662 C 18.337 0.744 17.592 0 16.675 0 C 16.01 0 15.438 0.391 15.173 0.956 L 11.72 0.13 C 11.449 0.065 11.176 0.232 11.11 0.503 L 9.923 5.446 C 7.423 5.46 5.167 6.183 3.548 7.341 C 3.469 7.267 3.383 7.199 3.29 7.138 C 2.347 6.536 1.045 6.892 0.381 7.931 C -0.283 8.971 -0.057 10.302 0.886 10.904 C 0.942 10.94 0.999 10.971 1.057 11 C 1.019 11.233 0.999 11.469 0.999 11.708 C 0.999 15.166 5.025 17.97 9.991 17.97 C 14.958 17.97 18.984 15.166 18.984 11.708 C 18.984 11.466 18.962 11.227 18.923 10.992 C 19.689 10.547 20.106 9.578 19.887 8.584 Z M 5.38 10.257 C 5.38 9.469 6.019 8.83 6.807 8.83 C 7.595 8.83 8.234 9.469 8.234 10.257 C 8.234 11.045 7.595 11.684 6.807 11.684 C 6.019 11.684 5.38 11.045 5.38 10.257 Z M 13.306 14.763 C 12.868 15.161 11.657 16.089 9.885 16.106 C 9.869 16.106 9.852 16.106 9.836 16.106 C 8.04 16.106 6.814 15.169 6.367 14.763 C 6.223 14.633 6.213 14.411 6.343 14.268 C 6.473 14.125 6.695 14.115 6.838 14.245 C 7.227 14.599 8.302 15.421 9.878 15.406 C 11.411 15.392 12.457 14.59 12.835 14.246 C 12.979 14.116 13.2 14.126 13.33 14.27 C 13.46 14.413 13.45 14.634 13.306 14.764 Z M 13.134 11.684 C 12.346 11.684 11.707 11.045 11.707 10.257 C 11.707 9.469 12.346 8.83 13.134 8.83 C 13.922 8.83 14.561 9.469 14.561 10.257 C 14.561 11.045 13.922 11.684 13.134 11.684 Z" fill="rgb(255, 255, 255)" height="17.9704px" id="plDnMwzNi" transform="translate(6 7)" width="19.94527087192943px"/></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 12 32 C 5.373 32 0 26.627 0 20 L 0 12 C 0 5.373 5.373 0 12 0 L 20 0 C 26.627 0 32 5.373 32 12 L 32 20 C 32 26.627 26.627 32 20 32 Z" fill="rgb(30, 33, 41)" height="32px" id="GoLb1c2lw" width="32px"/><path d="M 11.888 20.997 L 8.381 20.997 C 5.223 20.997 2.87 19.373 2.87 15.486 L 2.87 9.262 L 0 9.262 L 0 5.891 C 3.158 5.072 4.479 2.353 4.631 0 L 7.911 0 L 7.911 5.344 L 11.737 5.344 L 11.737 9.262 L 7.911 9.262 L 7.911 14.682 C 7.911 16.307 8.73 16.868 10.036 16.868 L 11.888 16.868 L 11.888 20.998 Z" fill="rgb(255, 255, 255)" height="20.998469999999998px" id="sPx_oYz8C" transform="translate(9 5.501)" width="11.888300000000001px"/></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 12 32 C 5.373 32 0 26.627 0 20 L 0 12 C 0 5.373 5.373 0 12 0 L 20 0 C 26.627 0 32 5.373 32 12 L 32 20 C 32 26.627 26.627 32 20 32 Z" fill="rgb(30, 33, 41)" height="32px" id="O_FVl6X4_" width="32px"/><path d="M 7.428 9.311 C 3.333 9.311 0.001 5.978 0 1.882 C 0.001 0.844 0.846 0 1.882 0 C 1.989 0 2.094 0.009 2.195 0.027 C 2.417 0.064 2.628 0.139 2.822 0.252 C 2.85 0.269 2.869 0.296 2.873 0.327 L 3.306 3.055 C 3.312 3.086 3.302 3.119 3.28 3.143 C 3.042 3.407 2.737 3.598 2.397 3.693 L 2.233 3.739 L 2.295 3.897 C 2.853 5.319 3.99 6.454 5.413 7.015 L 5.571 7.078 L 5.617 6.914 C 5.712 6.574 5.903 6.269 6.167 6.03 C 6.186 6.013 6.212 6.004 6.238 6.004 C 6.244 6.004 6.249 6.004 6.256 6.005 L 8.983 6.438 C 9.016 6.443 9.043 6.461 9.06 6.489 C 9.172 6.683 9.247 6.895 9.285 7.117 C 9.303 7.215 9.311 7.32 9.311 7.428 C 9.311 8.466 8.467 9.31 7.428 9.311 Z" fill="rgb(253, 253, 253)" height="9.3109px" id="XaPDC8bYd" transform="translate(12.115 11.45)" width="9.3109px"/><path d="M 20.806 9.182 C 20.585 6.686 19.441 4.371 17.586 2.664 C 15.719 0.946 13.298 0 10.765 0 C 5.207 0 0.684 4.523 0.684 10.081 C 0.684 11.947 1.198 13.764 2.173 15.347 L 0 20.157 L 6.957 19.416 C 8.166 19.911 9.447 20.162 10.764 20.162 C 11.11 20.162 11.466 20.144 11.822 20.107 C 12.136 20.074 12.453 20.024 12.765 19.962 C 17.42 19.021 20.818 14.89 20.845 10.135 L 20.845 10.081 C 20.845 9.778 20.831 9.476 20.805 9.183 Z M 7.225 17.304 L 3.376 17.715 L 4.525 15.169 L 4.295 14.86 C 4.278 14.838 4.261 14.816 4.242 14.79 C 3.245 13.412 2.718 11.784 2.718 10.082 C 2.718 5.645 6.328 2.035 10.765 2.035 C 14.922 2.035 18.446 5.278 18.785 9.419 C 18.803 9.641 18.813 9.864 18.813 10.083 C 18.813 10.146 18.812 10.208 18.811 10.274 C 18.726 13.986 16.133 17.139 12.505 17.941 C 12.228 18.003 11.944 18.05 11.662 18.08 C 11.368 18.114 11.067 18.131 10.767 18.131 C 9.701 18.131 8.665 17.924 7.686 17.516 C 7.578 17.473 7.471 17.426 7.371 17.377 L 7.226 17.307 Z" fill="rgb(253, 253, 253)" height="20.1621px" id="S9bfwzRGP" transform="translate(6 6)" width="20.8449px"/></svg>)
Share this:
Share this:
