Shakespeare. Ibsen. O’Neill. Tarantino?
Throughout its history, the West End has played host to the greatest playwrights. Now, Quentin Tarantino, director of classics like “Pulp Fiction” and “Inglourious Basterds,” is bringing his sharp dialogue, pop culture obsession and talent for mayhem to the London stage.
He will write and direct “The Popinjay Cavalier,” “a fiery comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand epics of the stage and screen.” Or so the show notes go. Sacha Baron Cohen of “Borat” and “Bruno” fame has been cast to star in the production, which will begin previews Feb. 23 before officially opening March 18.
“I look forward to giving the West End a great night out,” Tarantino said in a statement. Baron Cohen was more enthusiastic and profane. “Quentin called, I said yes before he could even say ‘Motherf–er.'” When the best director in the world calls, you don’t ask questions. I’m so excited that we’ll lose our West End virginity together, I’ve promised him not to go gentle.
Sony Pictures Entertainment, which produced Tarantino’s most recent film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” is producing the film with West End star Sonya Friedman, whose credits include “Merrily We Roll Along” and the Tony-winning revival of “Stereophonic.”
If Tarantino succeeds in theater he will join a handful of film directors, like Elia Kazan and Mike Nichols, who move seamlessly between different mediums. However, those men primarily directed other people’s scripts, not their own work. Tarantino has been on stage before – acting An unfortunate revival of “Wait Until Dark”.
Tarantino has been busy lately. He wrote the screenplay for “The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth”, but is handing over direction to David Fincher for the “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” sequel. With his West End debut on the horizon it would also mean delaying Tarantino’s next film, which he has promised will be his final film. So in the interest of cinema, here’s a Broadway transfer!