Archduke – Royal Court Theatre
Rajiv Joseph's ‘Archduke’ arrives at the Royal Court with an intriguing premise, imagining the lives of the young conspirators whose actions would trigger the First World War. On paper it sounds epic, and it promises a darkly comic examination of radicalisation, friendship and history, yet despite moments of theatrical flair, the production never quite justifies its existence. Although its themes remain strikingly relevant, this production struggles to offer a compelling dramatic perspective on such a familiar historical event, leaving it feeling oddly unnecessary
The greatest obstacle is its uncertain identity. The script lurches between historical drama and absurd comedy without ever settling comfortably into either. There are clear echoes of “Blackadder Goes Forth” and the anarchic w...