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Quentin Tarantino’s first stage play is set to arrive in the West End in February, with Sacha Baron Cohen in the lead role.
The Popinjay Cavalier, described as a swashbuckling comedy, has been written by the Oscar winner, who will also serve as director.
The production will open at the Phoenix Theatre in London on 18 March 2027, with previews available from 23 February, and is currently booking until 13 June.
Tickets will be available from 9am today (12 October) for those with priority access, and will go on general release from 12pm.
The Popinjay Cavalier is set in 1830s Europe, and is inspired by the swashbuckler genre of old Hollywood, including the writing of George Bruce, Ernst Vajda and Jesse Lasky Jr.
The team behind the show hailed it as “a rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen”, as well as a “sweeping celebration of theatre and its heightened romance, told with Tarantino’s signature style and unmistakable wit”.
In a statement, the Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood director said that he was “keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out”.
“Quentin called, I said yes before he even got to say his first ‘motherf*****,’” Baron Cohen added.
“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.”
The play will be co-produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions.
In a joint statement, Tom Rothman, the chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group, and Sonia Friedman, said that it was “a joy and an honour to be developing this play with Quentin – and obviously quite an adventure”.
“How lucky we are that one of the great storytellers of our time has chosen to make his theatrical debut,” they added.
“To see Quentin in action in a rehearsal room is extraordinary. His delight in working with actors, fencers, acrobats, musicians and our creative team is infectious, and there is such pleasure in hearing his delicious language come alive and discovering what his world can become on stage.
“And now we have Sacha Baron Cohen at the heart of it all: a fearless, brilliantly inventive actor with the wit, mischief and daring this role demands. We feel immensely fortunate to be producing this show. Audiences are in for a tremendous treat.”
