QUENTIN TARANTINO’S NEW SWASHBUCKLING STAGE COMEDY
THE POPINJAY CAVALIER
TO OPEN AT THE PHOENIX THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END
SACHA BARON COHEN TO STAR IN THE TITLE ROLE
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.
Quentin Tarantino is one of the most celebrated filmmakers of his generation. He made his directorial debut in 1992 with Reservoir Dogs, and then co-wrote, directed and starred in one of his most beloved films, Pulp Fiction, which won his first Oscar® for Best Screenplay. Following the highly acclaimed films Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and Death Proof, Tarantino then released his World War II epic, Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained (which wonhis second Oscar® for Best Screenplay), and The Hateful Eight. Tarantino’s most recent film, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, was nominated for five Golden Globes, ten BAFTAs, and ten Oscars®. Tarantino released his first novel, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, in 2021 – it has been published in 31 languages and became an instant number one on The New York Times Best Seller Lists. In 2022 Tarantino published his highly acclaimed follow-up, Cinema Speculation which also debuted on The New York Times Best Seller List.
A three-time Academy Award-nominated actor and screenwriter, Sacha Baron Cohen is an iconic actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and director. Best known for his creation and portrayal of legendary characters Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev, Brüno Gehard, Admiral General Aladeen and Erran Morad, Baron Cohen has also acted in Adam McKay’s Talladega Nights, Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables, Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo. Baron Cohen starred in Alfonso Cuarón’s Apple TV+ series Disclaimer opposite Cate Blanchett. In 2026, he starred opposite Rosamund Pike in Netflix’s Ladies First, a No 1 film on Netflix worldwide, and appeared in Prime Video’s No 1 film Balls Up. In 2020, he wowed audiences and critics alike with his work in two timely films: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery Of Prodigious Bribe To American Regime For Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and won two Golden Globe Awards, making Baron Cohen the first person in Golden Globes history to win two awards for the same film character after having previously won for his lead performance in the original Borat in 2007; and Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of The Chicago 7, for which he received Academy Award, Golden Globe and SAG nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of legendary activist Abbie Hoffman. Upcoming, Baron Cohen makes his feature directorial debut with Amazon MGM Studios’ Ali G: Who Iz I?, returning as his famed character Ali G. The film opens in cinemas worldwide on 23 October for an exclusive one-weekend run.
Social handles: @PopinjayPlay
Instagram: instagram.com/popinjayplay
Facebook: facebook.com/PopinjayPlay
THE POPINJAY CAVALIER
LISTINGS
Phoenix Theatre
Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0JP
Box Office: https://popinjayplay.com/
Tel: 0333 009 6690
Tickets from £25
Age guidance 14+
PREVIEW SCHEDULE:
23 February 7.00pm
24 February 7.00pm
25 February 7.00pm
27 February 7.00pm
2 March 7.00pm
3 March 7.00pm
5 March 1.00pm
6 March 7.00pm
7 March 2.00 pm
9 March 7.00pm
10 March 2.00pm and 7.00pm
11 March 7.00pm
12 March 1.00pm
13 March 7.00pm
14 March 1.30pm and 6.30pm
16 March 7.00pm
17 March 2.00pm and 7.00pm
18 March OPENING NIGHT at 7.00pm
POST PRESS NIGHT:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7.00pm
Wednesday and Friday matinees at 2.00pm
Sundays at 1.30pm and 6.30pm
Sacha Baron Cohen will not be appearing at the following performances:
30 March – 4 April, 21 April, 28 April, 10 – 12 June 2027