Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo

We knew that this play was going to stretch our imagination.  Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.  Do you mean to tell me that in the midst of all the bombs, war and political upheaval, Baghdad has a zoo?  The opening scene showed a disheveled man within a cage and two American soldiers guarding it.  The man looked like he rolled out of a boxcar.  He begins to speak and we realize he is portraying the Bengal Tiger.  He laments about the lions that escaped during the bombings and as a result, they were shot.  But he was the smart one.  He stayed behind and within his cage.  Of course, since he is a tiger, the soldiers couldn’t understand him and made comments about the Tiger’s constant growling.  

The two soldiers complained about the duty as they guard the zoo.  One soldier, Tom, bragged that he has not only a golden gun in his backpack, but had hidden a golden toilet seat from raiding Saddam Hussein’s palace.  The other soldier Kev, a simple-minded kid from the South is dazzled by that accomplishment.  Suddenly, through stupid decisions, Tom puts his arm in the cage with the tiger and loses his hand.  Kev kills the Bengal Tiger.   Now dead, the Tiger observes the events around him and pontificates throughout the rest of the play about life, death and because he is an atheist, he is wondering why the hell is he still hanging around?  Is he seeking peace?  Is there still a purpose not yet accomplished?  

As the play progresses, we begin to understand that being dead apparently increases awareness, wisdom and knowledge.  Other key figures in the play include a translator and a prostitute. We constantly think about our soldiers in the combat zone, but do we think about the other people in the country, who wind up being collateral damage?  Musa, the translator has demons haunting him.  He was a gardener who created beautiful topiary in the gardens of Saddam’s brother, Uday.  He brings his little sister to see his work, but Uday spies her and winds up raping and beating her to death.  


Later, Kev dies and like the Tiger, begins his wanderings around Baghdad.  His observations of the living people begins to show increased wisdom and at times, profound thought.  He even loses his backcountry accent.  This play is unique, interesting and thought provoking.  Despite the strange concept in one of the modern world’s dilemma, I really enjoyed it and would see it again.