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Sacha Baron Cohen will star in The Popinjay Cavalier, Quentin Tarantino's first stage play, opening in London's West End in March 2027. The production is co-produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions.
Sacha Baron Cohen has been cast in the title role of 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, with previews beginning on Tuesday 23 February 2027 and the official opening night set for Thursday 18 March 2027. The run is scheduled to end on Sunday 13 June 2027.
The Popinjay Cavalier is described by producers as "a rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen." Set in 1830s Europe, the story follows Rupert Sebastian Thomas Jr., a character billed as "the world’s greatest actor," who travels to Paris to perform for the Comédie-Française. According to British Theatre, careless remarks about the French turn his trip into a dangerous situation.
Baron Cohen, 54, is the only cast member named so far. He is known for comic characters such as Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev, and Brüno Gehard. "When the best director in the world calls, you don't ask questions," Baron Cohen said in a statement. Tarantino stated he is "keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out."
Tom Rothman, chairman and chief executive of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group, and producer Sonia Friedman issued a joint statement calling it "a joy and an honour to be developing this play with Quentin." They described Baron Cohen as "a fearless, brilliantly inventive actor with the wit, mischief and daring this role demands."
The play is co-produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions. The creative team includes:
The production promises acrobatics alongside swordplay, with Tarantino working with "actors, fencers, acrobats, musicians" in the rehearsal room. The play draws inspiration from the work of Hollywood writers George Bruce, Ernest Vajda, and Jesse Lasky Jr.
This marks Tarantino's transition from film to stage. The director, best known for films such as Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, has previously spoken about retiring from movies after making 10 films. He has made nine so far, counting Kill Bill Volumes One and Two as one entry. Tarantino revealed last summer that the play was "all written" and stated, "It is absolutely the next thing I'm going to do."
Tarantino, 63, lives in Tel Aviv with his wife, Daniella Pick, and their two children. He told a podcast last year that he would "more than likely move to England and bring my family with me" while working on the play. He noted that the project would likely take "a year and a half to two years of my life" if successful.
Tickets for The Popinjay Cavalier go on sale starting Monday, with prices beginning at £25. The Phoenix Theatre is located on Charing Cross Road in London. The production recommends the play for ages 14 and over. The running time has not yet been confirmed.
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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