It's official. Quentin Tarantino's first-ever stage play, "The Popinjay Cavalier," with Sacha Baron Cohen in the title role, will open at London's Phoenix Theatre in March. A first poster has also been unveiled — seen below.
Previews start February 23, opening night is March 18, and it's a limited three-month run through June 13. Tickets go on sale today at 9 a.m. BST via the play's website, starting at £25, which is a steal for what might end up being the hottest ticket in the West End next year.
"I'm keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out," Tarantino said in a statement.
Tarantino wrote and is directing the "swashbuckling comedy," set in 1830s Europe and billed as a “rambunctious tale of deception and disguise” inspired by old Hollywood swashbucklers, including the writings of George Bruce. That's very much in QT's wheelhouse: a genre-obsessed love letter to a style of entertainment nobody makes anymore.
Baron Cohen, whose casting broke last month, gave a quote as well: "Quentin called, I said yes before he even got to say his first 'motherf—er'. 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."
There's history here, too. Baron Cohen was supposed to play a small role in "Django Unchained" more than a decade ago before scheduling conflicts with "The Dictator" press tour forced him out. Fourteen years later, he's not doing a cameo; he's the whole show.
Here's what I'm really watching for. Tarantino said at Sundance last year that if the play bombs, he probably won't turn it into a movie, but if it's a big hit, it could be his tenth and final film.
Quentin Tarantino's first-ever stage play, "The Popinjay Cavalier," with Sacha Baron Cohen in the title role, will open at London's Phoenix Theatre in March. A first poster has also been unveiled