Sacha Baron Cohen is to star in Quentin Tarantino's West End debut play 'The Popinjay Cavalier' next spring

Baron Cohen, 55, said yes to Tarantino's offer before the director 'even got to say his first motherf*****', signing up to play Rupert Sebastian Thomas Jr, an actor who travels to Paris to perform at the Comédie-Française only to land himself in a dangerous adventure after insulting the French. The play, written and directed by Tarantino, 63, is billed as a 'rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise' set in 1830s Europe and inspired by classic Hollywood swashbuckler films. Tickets go on sale Monday for the Phoenix Theatre opening on 18 March 2027.

The production marks Tarantino's first work written for the stage, produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions.

Baron Cohen called it losing their 'West End virginity together' and made Tarantino promise 'not to be gentle.'

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