The latest project from director and writer Quentin Tarantino has been revealed as a “swashbuckling” stage comedy featuring Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen.

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions announced on Monday the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s first stage play, The Popinjay Cavalier, will open in London’s Phoenix Theatre in the West End in March.

The production, set in 1830s Europe, is what the producers call it “a rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen”.

The play was inspired by the classic swashbuckler genre of old Hollywood, including the writings of George Bruce, Ernst Vajda and Jesse Lasky jr.

Full casting will be announced at a later date.

“It is a joy and an honour to be developing this play with Quentin – and obviously quite an adventure. How lucky we are that one of the great storytellers of our time has chosen to make his theatrical debut,” said Friedman and Tom Rothman, chairman and chief executive of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group.

“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 play marks the West End debut of Baron Cohen, creator of comic characters Borat and Ali G.

“When the best director in the world calls, you don’t ask questions,” he said.

The 54-year-old Baron Cohen has won two Baftas and three Golden Globes, as well as being nominated for three Oscars and six Emmys.

Tarantino, best known for films including Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds, hasn’t directed a feature film since Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, which came out in 2019.

He has won two Academy Awards, two Baftas, four Golden Globes and has been nominated for an Emmy and five Grammys.

Brad Pitt reprises his role as Cliff Booth in the new film. Photos: Sony Pictures / Netflix

Tarantino wrote the screenplay for The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth – a sequel to Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood , which stars Brad Pitt and is due for release in November.

David Fincher is directing, with Brad Pitt returning in the title role of a former Hollywood stuntman.

Tarantino wrote a novelisation of Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood as well as one for the new film, which will be published on December 8 by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins.

-with AAP