Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions today announce that The Popinjay Cavalier, a new swashbuckling comedy written and directed by Quentin Tarantino – the first play written by Tarantino for the stage - will star Sacha Baron Cohen in the title role.
The production opens at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on 18 March 2027, with previews from 23 February, and is booking until 13 June. Tickets are on sale from 9am (BST) to those who signed up for priority access, with public on sale from 12pm (BST) today. Tickets are from £25, with over 16,000 tickets under £50 across the run.
Quentin Tarantino said today, “I’m keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out.”
Sacha Baron Cohen added, “Quentin called, I said yes before he even got to say his first ‘motherfxxxer’. 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.”
Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group, and Sonia Friedman said today, “It is 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.
“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.”
Set in 1830s Europe, The Popinjay Cavalier is a rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen.
A sweeping celebration of theatre and its heightened romance, told with Tarantino’s signature style and unmistakable wit, The Popinjay Cavalier is inspired by the classic swashbuckler genre of old Hollywood, including the writings of George Bruce, Ernst Vajda and Jesse Lasky Jr.
Also announced today is the creative team joining Tarantino - Scenic and Costume Design is by Tom Pye; with Lighting Design by Natasha Chivers; Sound Design by Ian Dickinson; the Fight Director is Philip d’Orleans; the Action Co-ordinator is Sam Lyon-Behan; Music is by Tim Phillips; Casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA; and the Associate Director is Jack Bradfield.
Full casting will be announced at a later date.