The savagely funny and visionary play by Rajiv Joseph premiered in 2009, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2010, and opened on Broadway in 2011, with the late Robin Williams starring as the Bengal Tiger. Now we have the chance to see it in Penang, directed by and starring Penang-based Christopher Preslar, who last year directed and starred in The Glass Menagerie at penangpac, and whose other notable achievements include His most notable credits include the title role in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the Lion inThe

Christopher Preslar as Director and Tiger
Wizard of Oz and George in The Language Archive.
Bengal Tiger At The Baghdad Zoo is about a tiger that haunts the streets of present day Baghdad, seeking the meaning of life. As he witnesses the puzzling absurdities of war, the tiger encounters Americans and Iraqis who are searching for friendship, redemption, and a toilet seat made of gold.

Kabilan Murali Dharan as Uday
Christopher Preslar explains “This is a historical piece about the US-led invasion of Iraq. It features the historical character Uday Hussien, who is the son to Saddam Hussein, and references true events that took place during the war. It is a gruesome look at the realities of war.” But, he goes on “This is also an existentialist piece, and explores in depth the questions related to that school of philosophy such as the meaning of life, the nature of suffering, human willpower, and the existence of God”.conceals the post-war syndrome that is still haunting the victims and its’ hunter.
For the Penang performances of what the LA Times described as “the most original drama written about the Iraq War”, in addition to Christopher, a number of talented Malaysian actors take lead roles, including Iz Sulaini, Putrina Mohammed Rafie and Phraveen Arikiah.

Iz Sulaini as Tom

Putrina Rafie as Leper

Phraveen Arikiah as Musa
The performances at penangpac are on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th July at 8.30pm, and on Sunfay 9th July at 3pm. Tickets are RM 40, and RM 30 for concessions. They are available at the penangpac box office or at http://www.ticketpro.com.my/theatre/drama/2098329-penangpac-Bengal-Tiger-At-The-Baghdad-Zoo.html