Sacha Baron Cohen will star in Quentin Tarantino’s first stage play, 'The Popinjay Cavalier,' which opens in London’s West End in March 2027.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Sacha Baron Cohen is set to headline "The Popinjay Cavalier," the first stage play written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The production will premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End, marking the theatrical debuts for both the filmmaker and the actor.
The play is scheduled to begin previews on February 23, with the official opening night set for March 18, 2027. According to Variety, the production is set to run for three months, closing on June 13. Tickets go on sale Monday, with priority access starting at 9 a.m. BST and general public sales beginning at 12 p.m. BST. Prices start at £25, and more than 16,000 tickets are priced under £50 across the run.
The play is produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions. Tom Rothman, chairman and chief executive of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group, and Friedman issued a joint statement expressing their enthusiasm for the project. "It is a joy and an honour to be developing this play with Quentin – and obviously quite an adventure," they said. "How lucky we are that one of the great storytellers of our time has chosen to make his theatrical debut."
"The Popinjay Cavalier" is set in 1830s Europe and is described by the producers as "a rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen." The synopsis notes that the play is "a sweeping celebration of theatre and its heightened romance, told with Tarantino’s signature style and unmistakable wit."
The production draws inspiration from the classic swashbuckler genre of old Hollywood, including the writings of George Bruce, Ernst Vajda, and Jesse Lasky Jr. The creative team includes scenic and costume designer Tom Pye, lighting designer Natasha Chivers, sound designer Ian Dickinson, fight director Philip d’Orleans, and action coordinator Sam Lyon-Behan. Music is by Tim Phillips, and casting is by Jim Carnahan, CSA. Full casting beyond Baron Cohen will be announced at a later date.
Tarantino, 63, who is best known for films such as "Reservoir Dogs," "Pulp Fiction," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," said he was "keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out."
Baron Cohen, 54, who is known for creating comic characters like Ali G and Borat, expressed his excitement about working with Tarantino. "Quentin called, I said yes before he even got to say his first ‘motherfucker'," Baron Cohen said. "When the best director in the world calls, you don’t ask questions. I am beyond delighted that we will be losing our West End virginity together. I have made him promise not to be gentle."
This production marks a significant career milestone for both Tarantino and Baron Cohen, as it is the first time either has worked in a major West End stage production. Tarantino has primarily worked in film since his directorial debut in 1992, while Baron Cohen has not previously held a leading role in a major stage production. The collaboration brings together two prominent figures in entertainment for a live theatrical event, highlighting a crossover between Hollywood filmmaking and traditional stage performance.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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