Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Quentin Tarantino’s “swashbuckling comedy” West End play

Sacha Baron Cohen has confirmed he’s set to star in Quentin Tarantino’s first-ever play, The Popinjay Cavalier – find out how to get tickets below”

The Popinjay Cavalier has been described as a “swashbuckling comedy” and will premiere at London’s Phoenix Theatre in February 2027.

“Set in 1830s Europe, this rambunctious tale of deception and disguise is Tarantino’s first-ever play, inspired by the grand adventure epics and sparkling romances of stage and screen, including the works of Hollywood’s golden greats – George Bruce, Ernest Vajda and Jesse Lasky Jr.,” reads a press release.

The Popinjay Cavalier follows Rupert Sebastian Thomas Jr. (Baron Cohen) AKA the world’s greatest actor, as he heads to Paris to perform for the illustrious Comédie-Française. “But after a few ill-advised words about the French land him in hot water, Rupert the Magnificent’s triumphant trip across the Channel takes a decidedly more dangerous turn…”

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Fans can expect Tarantino’s “signature style and rapier wit in a sweeping celebration of theatre, complete with acrobatics, swordplay, daring deeds, dastardly acts and an incredible cast whose virtues put the very saints to shame.”

The Popinjay Cavalier opens February 23 2027 and is currently scheduled to run until June 13 2027. Tickets go on sale later today (Monday October 12) and will be available here.

Sacha Baron Cohen is
THE POPINJAY CAVALIER.

Written & Directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Tickets on sale 12pm BST ⚔️ https://t.co/bdbxIlHEBp

Phoenix Theatre, London | Feb 2027.

🎨: James Paterson#PopinjayPlay #QuentinTarantino #SachaBaronCohen pic.twitter.com/HRDWIInO8H

— The Popinjay Cavalier (@popinjayplay) October 12, 2026

“Quentin called, I said yes before he even got to say his first ‘motherfuckerer’,” Baron Cohen said in a statement about starring in The Popinjay Cavalier. “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.”

In recent years, Tarantino has looked to creative outlets away from film. He has published two books, a 2021 novelisation of his film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and Cinema Speculation, discussing the films of the New Hollywood era of the ‘60s to ‘80s. He also wrote the screenplay for Netflix’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sequel The Further Adventures Of Cliff Booth, but David Fincher will be directing.

Explaining his decision, Tarantino said: “I think me and David Fincher are the two best directors, So the idea that David Fincher actually wants to adapt my work, to me, shows a level of seriousness towards my work that I think needs to be taken into account.”