Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo

When you enter the theatre, Maggie Dence - who’s playing a tiger - is already on stage, peering through a fence, looking straight into the audience, sizing up who’s sitting down. This Bengal tiger was played by Robin Williams on Broadway and, in a similar way to how Williams probably did, Dence dominates the stage

From the moment the lights go down, her acting is masterful. Dence commands full attention, making this speaking tiger extremely believable, although not sympathetic. She perfectly times her one-liners, which are a welcome respite from the brutal themes this play explores.

The play, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2010, is set in Baghdad during the Iraq war.  Dence’s tiger is trapped at the Baghdad zoo, regretting the day she was captured. Now, when teased by an American soldier, she bites off his hand, and then is shot dead by another soldier. She becomes a ghost, wandering around the chaotic streets of Baghdad, haunting the man who shot her. There are other interesting ghosts here too, including the evil Uday Hussein, son of Saddam, who loved everything gold, including his gun and toilet seat. 

The independent Mad March Hare Theatre has gathered a strong cast for this production. Alongside Dence, Stephen Multari stands out as Tom, one of the soldiers. Andrew Lindquist, Megan Smart and Aanisa Vylet are also particularly impressive.

It’s a clever idea for a play - apparently inspired by actual events, when an American sergeant had his arm bitten off when trying to feed a tiger in the remains of the Baghdad zoo. This story highlights the recklessness that people display in a post-war moral vacuum.

The fantastical nature of this play, with ghosts haunting the ruined streets, allows moral questions to be explored in novel ways. But the play is too much of an intellectual exercise rather than one which connects emotionally. It becomes long and some of the scenes drag.

Claudia Barrie’s direction is strong but the production needs to be tightened. There is also too much shouting in the first act. The Old Fitz theatre is a small space and the performances would be more effective if toned down. The show looks great - the design is simple and effective, with a brilliant soundtrack by Nate Edmonton and beautiful costumes by Stephanie Howe. 

In her program notes, Barrie says the audience will get no answers from this play but she hopes instead people will be left asking questions long after leaving the theatre. But rather than questions about morals or what drives these characters, the questions are much more problematic. What is this play trying to say? Why should we care? When it is hard to connect with the characters, it is difficult to engage.

The play hits its mark at various points, often when Maggie Dence is on stage. Changing the tiger’s gender was one of the best decisions in this admirable production and it is wonderful to see such an accomplished actor in fine form.

Review by Peter Gotting

Photographer: Kate Williams