Tarantino's First Stage Play Opens in London in March

Quentin Tarantino's first stage play, "The Popinjay Cavalier," starring Sacha Baron Cohen, will open at London's Phoenix Theatre on March 18, with previews from Feb. 23 and a limited run closing June 13. Tickets start at £25 and go on sale via the play's website at 9 a.m. BST on Monday.

Tarantino wrote and directs the play himself. Producers describe it as a "swashbunctious comedy" — in their synopsis, a "swashbuckling comedy" — set in 1830s Europe.

"I'm keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out," Tarantino said in a statement.

What is the play about?

According to the play's synopsis, "The Popinjay Cavalier" is a "rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen." The synopsis continues: "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."

Baron Cohen, whose casting was first revealed last month, explained how the offer came about: "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."

Who is producing it?

Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Motion Picture Group, and Sonia Friedman produce. In a joint statement, they called it a "joy and an honor to be developing this play with Quentin — and absolutely quite an adventure."

"How lucky we are that one of the great storytellers of our time has chosen to make his theatrical debut," Rothman and Friedman said. "To see Quentin in action in a rehearsal room is extraordinary. His delight in working with actors, fencers, acrobats, musicians and our creative team is infectious, and there is such pleasure in hearing his delicious language come alive and discovering what his world can become on stage."

The producers called Baron Cohen a "fearless, brilliantly inventive actor with the wit, mischief and daring this role demands." They added: "We feel immensely fortunate to be producing this show. Audiences are in for a tremendous treat."

Who else is on the creative team?

Tarantino leads a team that includes:

• Scenic and costume designer Tom Pye
• Lighting designer Natasha Chivers
• Sound designer Ian Dickinson
• Fight director Philip d'Orleans
• Action coordinator Sam Lyon-Behan
• Composer Tim Phillips, providing the music
• Casting director Jim Carnahan, CSA

Further casting beyond Baron Cohen will be announced at a later date, the producers said.

The engagement marks Tarantino's theatrical debut as a playwright after three decades defining American cinema. With a three-month run capped at June 13, West End audiences have a narrow window to see whether his signature style survives the transition from screen to stage.