Theatre tickets and productions

QUENTIN Tarantino is swapping the big screen for the stage with his first West End play.

The Popinjay Cavalier is written and directed by the Pulp Fiction filmmaker, with Sacha Baron Cohen taking on the leading role.

And theatre fans don’t have long to wait to get their hands on tickets. Here’s everything you need to know.

What time do The Popinjay Cavalier tickets go on sale?

Tickets for The Popinjay Cavalier go on general sale at 12pm on Monday, October 12, 2026.

Fans who previously signed up for priority access can buy tickets earlier, with that sale opening at 9am.

Tickets can be bought through the production’s official website at popinjayplay.com.

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Prices start at £25, while more than 16,000 tickets across the run will cost less than £50.

The show is booking until June 13, 2027.

Demand is likely to be high given Quentin Tarantino’s huge film following and Sacha Baron Cohen’s first major leading role on a West End stage.

Anyone hoping to go should have the official ticket page ready before the sale opens.

When is The Popinjay Cavalier on in London?

The Popinjay Cavalier begins previews at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on February 23, 2027, while its official opening night is on March 18.

At the time of writing, the limited run is booking until June 13, 2027.

Situated on Charing Cross Road, The Phoenix Theatre is currently home to Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

Further casting for Tarantino’s production is still to be announced.

What is The Popinjay Cavalier about?

The play is set in Europe during the 1830s and has been billed as a swashbuckling comedy about deception and disguise.

It follows actor Rupert Sebastian Thomas Jr as he travels to Paris to perform at the Comedie-Francaise.

But after making some badly chosen comments about the French, his journey across the Channel takes a much more dangerous turn.

The production promises sword fights, acrobatics and adventure, drawing inspiration from classic Hollywood swashbucklers.

Tarantino said he was “keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out.”

Who is starring in The Popinjay Cavalier?

Sacha Baron Cohen is set to play the title role, Rupert Sebastian Thomas Jr.

He is best known for creating characters including Ali G, Borat and Bruno, as well as appearing in films including The Dictator and Les Miserables.

The British comedian and actor said: “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.”

The pair have almost worked together before.

Tarantino cast Sacha Baron Cohen in his 2012 Western Django Unchained, but the actor ultimately pulled out to appear in Les Miserables.

The Popinjay Cavalier is being produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions.

Tarantino first revealed in 2025 that he had completed a play and intended to make theatre his next major project.

Now audiences will finally get to see what his unmistakable style looks like live on a West End stage.

FANCY experiencing something totally sexy for an evening out? Well, you can, can, can at one London stage show.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical at Piccadilly Theatre on London’s West End is high-octane magic and what makes it even better is you can get cheaper tickets with Sun Club.

Sun Club members can get 10% off tickets with London Theatre Direct, when booking via our Sun Club Promo page.

To get your tickets, sign up to Sun Club for £1 in our flash sale, which gives you three months of access (£1.99 per month thereafter), then head to the Sun Club Offers hub and London Theatre Direct page or click here.

And let’s be honest: a night out surrounded by leather, lace and a stage bursting with hit songs is pretty hard to top.

If you’ve been living under a rock, Moulin Rouge! follows Christian, an optimistic American songwriter who lands in bohemian Paris and gets swept up by a pair of flamboyant locals.

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They then introduce him to Satine, the Moulin Rouge’s sparkling star.

Mistaking him for the wealthy Duke, who is needed to bankroll the struggling venue, Satine seduces him.

But behind her vibrant facade lies a tragic secret, kicking off a tale of forbidden romance – think Romeo and Juliet, but injected with explosive choreography, killer pop hits and pure, unapologetic queer glamour.

The magic starts from the moment you step inside the theatre, where the stage glows with dazzling warm yellow lights framed by massive arches that transform the space into a giant heart.

Side podiums host alluring bohemians moving to the seductive and rhythmic music, before the curtain even lifts.

Beyond the podiums, there’s a giant elephant in one of the boxes looming over the audience and directly opposite, there’s the iconic red windmill setting the Parisian scene.

When it comes to the show, rather than an original score, the production of Baz Luhrmann’s iconic musical movie mashes up iconic hits spanning decades including A-ha’s Take on Me to Lady Gaga‘s Bad Romance.

The result? A gripping and energetic performance that leaves you singing along in your head.

Each stage set is cleverly laid out to bring the audience in, with scenes of Paris in the background including smoky night- time skies and sparkling lights.

The costumes are just as decadent as the set itself as well.

And the cast brings all of this excitement to boiling point with remarkably talented singing and acting.

Who doesn’t love a show with a villain? The Duke is suave and sexy and while I know I should have hated him, I found myself loving his characterisation.

Other standout performances include Santiago, “the finest tango dancer in Paris” played by Ivan De Freitas – his cheeky and endearing charm lightens the tragedy unfolding.

Alistair Brammer, who plays Christian and Karis Anders, on who plays Sat, ine deliver a stunningly alluring performance, too bringing the chemistry of the characters to life.

Everything oozes sexiness, but with sophistication.

November marks five years since the show launched in the West End and I simply cannot name a single fault with the show – it is a must-see that I hope stays around a lot longer as I will be back.

Tickets start from £25 per person.

18+ Subscription to Sun Club required. Online access required. Save an additional 10 per cent off tickets. Offer ends at 23:59pm on Thursday, December 31, 2026. Sun Club: 18+ UK only. Introductory offer: £1 for the first 3 months, then £1.99 thereafter unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. Offer ends 4pm Monday, September 21 2026. For full T&Cs, visit thesun.co.uk/club