The Young Vic Theatre today announced Patrick Gibson, Sofia Asir and Sayyid Aki will join David Threlfall, Arinzé Kene, Ammar Haj Ammad and Hala Omran in the European premiere of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.
Rajiv Joseph’s high-octane, surreal dark comedy is directed by Omar Elerian.
When an atheist suddenly finds himself walking around after death, he has got some serious re-evaluating to do.
Iraq, well into the new millennium. A fast-talking Tiger haunts the streets, plagued by a fundamental question: “Why am I here?”.
And he’s not the only one.
US forces have long since toppled Saddam Hussein, yet Baghdad remains aflame. In the chaos, the lives of American Marines Tom and Kev collide with Iraqi translator Musa after their chance encounters with the Tiger. Iraqi or American, man or beast, they are all searching for meaning, revenge, forgiveness, and a solid gold toilet seat that’s worth a fortune.
Patrick Gibson, best known as the young Dexter Morgan in the Paramount+ series Dexter:Original Sin and recently seen on stage in Clyde’s at Donmar Warehouse, will play the American Marine Tom. Sofia Asir will play Hadia/Iraqi Teenager and Sayyid Aki will play Uday/Iraqi Man. They join the previously announced Olivier and BAFTA award-winner David Threlfall as the Tiger, Olivier Award-nominee Arinzé Kene as American Marine Kev, Ammar Haj Ahmad as Musa, and Hala Omran as Iraqi Woman/Leper.
Young Vic, Main House from 2nd December 2025 – 31 January 2026
Booking and full details: www.youngvic.org
