Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Quentin Tarantino’s debut play The Popinjay Cavalier – a new swashbuckling comedy
The Popinjay Cavalier will open at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on 18 March 2027, with previews from 23 February, and is booking until 13 June.
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 won his 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.
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.
THE POPINJAY CAVALIER will play at the Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0JP.
Age guidance 14+
Press night 18 March 2027
Performances:
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
