The Young Vic in London has announced that Peter Forbes will permanently replace David Threlfall in the cast of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.
Rajiv Joseph’s Pulitzer and Tony-nominated play is now running at The Young Vic until 31 January 2026.
The Young Vic announced at the start of the run of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo that David Threlfall had temporarily left the show due to illness, and that Kathryn Hunter (Andor) would take over the role of the Tiger.
It has now been announced that David Threlfall has permanently left the production, and has been permanently replaced by Peter Forbes (Follies, Churchill in Moscow).
The Young Vic released a statement saying that, “Sadly, David Threlfall will not be returning to Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. We want to say a huge thank you to David for his time and work on the show and send our best wishes for a speedy recovery. We’re pleased to welcome Peter Forbes to the company who will be performing the role of the Tiger”.
The statement also thanked Kathryn Hunter, “for stepping in to the role temporarily”. Hunter’s final performance was at the matinee on Saturday 13 December, with Peter Forbes going on for the evening performance.
Peter Forbes’ recent stage work includes Much Ado About Nothing at the RSC, Churchill in Moscow at the Orange Tree Theatre, Coriolanus at the National Theatre, and A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story at Nottingham Playhouse and the Alexandra Palace.
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo is directed by Omar Elerian (Rhinoceros).
The cast also includes Olivier Award-nominee Arinzé Kene (Misty, Death of A Salesman) as American Marine Kev, Ammar Haj Ahmad (The Jungle, Macbeth) as Musa, Hala Omran (I Medea, Mute) as Iraqi Woman/Leper, 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.
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.
The wider creative team for the production 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.
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
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Young Vic Theatre, London
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👤News Team 📅14 December 2025
Tags: Ammar Haj Ahmad, Arinzé Kene, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, David Threlfall, Hala Omran, Kathryn Hunter, Omar Elerian, Patrick Gibson, Peter Forbes, Rajiv Joseph, Sayyid Aki, Sofia Asir, The Young Vic
📷 Main photo: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Peter Forbes (Photo Yellowbelly) & David Threfall in rehearsals (Photo by Isha Shah)
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