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Quentin Taratino’s The Popinjay Cavalier confirms West End run starring Sacha Baron Cohen
The director’s stage-writing debut will run in London next year
Celebrated screen director Quentin Tarantino will officially be making his stage-writing debut, as his new play The Popinjay Cavalier heads to the West End next year. The swashbuckling comedy will open at the Phoenix Theatre in early 2027, starring Sacha Baron Cohen in the title role.
Written and directed by Tarantino, The Popinjay Cavalier is set in 1830s Europe, inspired by the swashbuckler genre of classic Hollywood, specifically the work of George Bruce, Ernst Vajda and Jesse Lasky Jr. Expect deception, disguises and a lot of laughs.
“I’m keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out,” said Tarantino.
Baron Cohen said: “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 chief executive of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group, and producer Sonia Friedman said: “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.”
The Popinjay Cavalier features scenic and costume design by Tom Pye, lighting design by Natasha Chivers, sound design by Ian Dickinson, fight direction by Philip d’Orleans, action coordination by Sam Lyon-Behan, composition by Tim Phillips and casting by Jim Carnahan. Further principle casting is yet to be announced.
The show will begin previews at the Phoenix Theatre from 23 February, with an official opening night on 18 March. It is currently booking until 13 June 2027.
