Sacha Baron Cohen to lead Tarantino's first stage play in London
Actor Sacha Baron Cohen will take the lead in director Quentin Tarantino's play The Popinjay Cavalier, which premieres in London's West End on 18 March 2027. It is the first work Tarantino has written for the stage, and he will direct it himself.
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen will play the lead in The Popinjay Cavalier, a play by American film director Quentin Tarantino. It opens at the Phoenix theatre in London's West End, the city's main theatre district, on 18 March 2027, with tickets going on sale on Monday. It is the first piece the 63-year-old Tarantino has written for the stage, and he will direct it as well.
About the play
The story is set in 1830s Europe. Its billing describes a rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise, inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen. The source of inspiration is the swashbuckler genre of old Hollywood, including writings by George Bruce, Ernst Vajda and Jesse Lasky Jr. The full cast will be announced later.
The production is by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions. Tom Rothman, chairman and chief executive of Sony's Motion Picture Group, and producer Sonia Friedman said in a joint statement that Tarantino had chosen to make his theatrical debut, and praised his work in rehearsals with actors, fencers, acrobats and musicians.
The people involved
Tarantino is known for films including Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. He has won two Academy Awards, two Baftas and four Golden Globes. He first spoke about his plan for a play in 2025 on the Church of Tarantino podcast, saying it was already fully written.
Baron Cohen, 54, is known for characters such as Ali G, Borat and Brüno. He has won two Baftas and three Golden Globes, but has not yet had a leading role in a major stage production. He trained with the French clown teacher Philippe Gaulier.
Tickets
Tickets go on sale at 9am BST on Monday for those who signed up for priority access, with a public sale from 12pm. Prices start at £25, and more than 16,000 tickets across the run will cost under £50.
