Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Quentin Tarantino's first West End play as two of Hollywood's most controversial names join forces

Sacha Baron Cohen is set to star in Quentin Tarantino's first West End play when The Popinjay Cavalier premieres in London next spring.

The collaboration will see two of the industry's most controversial names join forces for the 'rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise'.

Tarantino, 63, and Baron Cohen, 55, are both considered controversial because they deliberately push boundaries in their work.

The director is often criticised for his graphic violence, use of racial language and portrayal of marginalised groups, while Baron Cohen is known for his provocative humour, controversial pranks and use of satire to expose prejudice and hypocrisy.

The two names being tied together will no doubt create excitement when the play lands at the Phoenix Theatre on March 18 2027. Tickets are on sale on Monday.

Tarantino, best known for films including Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, said he was 'keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out'.

Sacha Baron Cohen is set to star in Quentin Tarantino's first West End play when The Popinjay Cavalier premieres in London next spring

Set in 1830s Europe, the story follows Rupert Sebastian Thomas Jr (Baron Cohen), an actor who travels to Paris to perform at the prestigious Comédie-Française theatre.

However, after making some ill-advised comments about the French, Rupert gets himself into trouble.

What should have been a triumphant journey becomes a dangerous adventure with unexpected challenges.

A popinjay is defined as 'a vain, foppish or conceited person', while a cavalier is a cavalryman or courteous gentleman.

Discussing his excitement for the project, Baron Cohen – best known for playing problematic characters Borat and Ali G – added: 'Quentin called, I said yes before he even got to say his first 'motherf*****'.

'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 was inspired by the classic swashbuckler genre of old Hollywood, including the writings of George Bruce, Ernst Vajda and Jesse Lasky Jr.

Full casting will be announced at a later date.

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions are producing the play.

Tom Rothman, chairman and chief executive of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Motion Picture Group, and 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.'

Tarantino made his directorial debut in 1992 with Reservoir Dogs, before co-writing, directing and appearing in Pulp Fiction, which saw him pick up his first Oscar for best screenplay.

He went on to direct Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, Death Proof, Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.

Throughout his career he has won two Academy Awards, two Baftas and four Golden Globes. He has also been nominated for an Emmy and five Grammys.

Baron Cohen is known for his provocative humour, controversial pranks and use of satire to expose prejudice and hypocrisy (pictured as Ali G)

The director is often criticised for his graphic violence, use of racial language and portrayal of marginalised groups

Meanwhile Baron Cohen is best known for creating and playing comic characters including Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev and Bruno Gehard.

The 55-year-old has won two Baftas and three Golden Globes, as well as being nominated for three Oscars and six Emmys.

Tarantino first revealed his plans to stage a play in 2025, saying on the Church of Tarantino podcast it was 'all written'.

'It is absolutely the next thing I'm going to do. We'll start the ball rolling on it in January. It's probably going to take up a year and a half to two years of my life, if it's a success, and I've got to do the tour version of it and all that,' he said.

'I'm preparing for it to be a success. If it's a flop, I'll be done very quickly.'

Tickets for The Popinjay Cavalier are on sale from 9am BST on Monday to those who signed up for priority access, with a public sale from 12pm.

Tickets start at £25, with more than 16,000 tickets priced at under £50 across the run.