Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Quentin Tarantino's West End play

Sacha Baron Cohen, renowned for his role in Borat, is set to lead the cast of a new play in London’s West End, directed by the esteemed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.

Titled The Popinjay Cavalier, this production is situated in 1830s Europe and marks the first stage play penned by Tarantino, who has also taken on the director’s mantle.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Baron Cohen remarked that he is "beyond delighted" to collaborate with Tarantino, stating, "When the best director in the world calls, you don't ask questions."

Tarantino, celebrated for iconic films such as Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, has indicated that he is "keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out."

The premiere is scheduled for March 2027, with tickets going on sale starting Monday.

Originally announced in March of this year, the production has been described as a "rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen."

At the age of 54, Baron Cohen has gained fame through his memorable characters, including the notorious wannabe gangster Ali G, the Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev, and the Austrian fashionista Brüno Gehard.

His accolades include two BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, and nominations for three Oscars and six Emmys.

The complete cast for The Popinjay Cavalier will be disclosed in the near future.

The play is being co-produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment, known for distributing Tarantino's latest film Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, along with Sonia Friedman Productions, which has successfully managed productions such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Paddington the Musical.

Tarantino has previously articulated his intention to retire from filmmaking after completing ten films.

He has thus far directed nine, combining Kill Bill Volumes One and Two as a single entry; his work has garnered him two Oscars for writing Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained.

Last summer, Tarantino shared his plans for the stage production during an appearance on the Church of Tarantino podcast, revealing that it was already "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 indicated.

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

The Popinjay Cavalier will debut at the Phoenix Theatre on March 18, 2027, with ticket prices starting at £25.

At 63 years old, Tarantino resides in Tel Aviv with his Israeli wife, Daniella Pick, and their two children. He mentioned on the podcast last year that he would "more than likely move to England and bring my family with me" during the production of the play.