Rehearsal images have been unveiled for the UK premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony-nominated surreal dark comedy Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, coming to the Young Vic Theatre this winter.
Directed by Omar Elerian (The Chairs, Rhinoceros), the production runs in the Main House from 2 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, with press night on 9 December.
The cast features Olivier and BAFTA award-winner David Threlfall (Hangmen, Shameless) as the Tiger, alongside Olivier Award-nominee Arinzé Kene (Misty, Death of A Salesman) as Kev. They are joined by Ammar Haj Ahmad (The Jungle), Patrick Gibson (Dexter: Original Sin), Sara Masry, Hala Omran, and Sayyid Aki.
Set in Iraq in the aftermath of Saddam Hussein’s fall, the play follows a fast-talking Tiger haunted by the question: “Why am I here?” As Baghdad burns, the lives of two American Marines and an Iraqi translator collide in a search for meaning, revenge, forgiveness—and a solid gold toilet seat.
Following its acclaimed Broadway premiere in 2011, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo earned multiple Tony nominations and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. This new Young Vic production boasts a creative team including Designer Rajha Shakiry, Lighting Designer Jackie Shemesh, Sound Designer Elena Peña, and Movement Director Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster.
This marks the third production in Nadia Fall’s inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Young Vic.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
