The Young Vic in London has announced full casting for its European premiere of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.
Rajiv Joseph’s Pulitzer and Tony-nominated play is running at The Young Vic from 2 December 2025 to 31 January 2026.
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo is directed by Omar Elerian (Rhinoceros). Rajiv Joseph’s high-octane, surreal dark comedy is set in Iraq. Following its premiere on Broadway in 2011, the play received multiple Tony nominations and recognition as a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Already announced in the cast is Olivier and BAFTA award-winner David Threlfall (Hangmen, Shameless) as the Tiger, Olivier Award-nominee Arinzé Kene (Misty, Death of A Salesman) as American Marine Kev, Ammar Haj Ahmad (The Jungle, Macbeth) as Musa, and Hala Omran (I Medea, Mute) as Iraqi Woman/Leper.
They will be joined by Patrick Gibson (Dexter: Original Sin, Clyde’s) as Tom, Sofia Asir (two Palestinians go dogging, A Land without Jasmine) as Hadia/Iraqi Teenager and Sayyid Aki (Community, Rule Britannia) as Uday/Iraqi Man.
The wider creative team includes Designer Rajha Shakiry, Lighting Designer Jackie Shemesh, Sound Designer Elena Peña, Movement Director Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster, Casting Director Heather Basten CDG, Dialect Coach Khaled Abunaama, Voice and Dialect Coach Hazel Holder, Costume Supervisor Male Arcucci, Props Supervisor Kate Margretts, Jerwood Assistant Director Layla Madanat, and Associate Designer Yimei Zhao.
What’s on at The Young Vic?
Currently playing at The Young Vic is Joe Orton’s cult classic Entertaining Mr Sloane (until 8 November) and the hit Edinburgh Fringe show Ohio (until 24 October).
Coming up is Museum of Austerity (5 December to 16 January 2026), Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass (21 February to 18 April 2026), Alexander Zeldin’s CARE (11 May to 11 July 2026) and the world premiere of Sting by Sophie Swithinbank (18 June to 18 July 2026).
Book tickets to Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo is playing at The Young Vic in London from 2 December 2025 to 31 January 2026.
Book tickets to Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo at The Young Vic
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