PEAKY BLINDERS - THE REDEMPTION OF THOMAS SHELBY

Rambert presents the UK tour of Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, a dance theatre show written and adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight and choreographed and directed by Rambert’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer, inspired by the TV series produced and owned by Caryn Mandabach Productions.

The production is at The Lowry, Salford, from Tuesday 14^th to Saturday 18^th March.

Exhilarating and athletic dance from the full Rambert dance company combine with an electrifying and eclectic Peaky soundtrack from live on-stage musicians, to present the story of the Peaky Blinders at the end of World War One following Tommy Shelby and Grace Burgess through their passionate love affair.

Guillaume Quéau and Prince Lyons will alternate the role of Thomas Shelby, with Aishwarya Raut, Naya Lovell and Seren Williams alternating the role of Grace, in a performance that sees the permanent Rambert dance company take to the stage.

Birmingham-born writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who played street preacher Jeremiah Jesu in the TV series, will provide pre-recorded narration for the production. This coincides with a band of live musicians led by Musical Director Yaron Engler and a score written by Roman GianArthur, as well as a new track by Laura Mvula.

Having written and adapted the production for the stage, Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said: “Peaky Blinders has always had music and movement at its heart and now the beating heart of the show will be transferred to the stage, an interpretation of Tommy’s story performed by Rambert, one of the leading dance companies in the world. 

“This is dance for people who don’t usually watch dance and what I’ve written has been transformed into something startling by consummate dancers and choreographers. If the concept of a Peaky Blinders dance seems strange, reserve judgement and reserve a ticket.”

Rambert’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer, who choreographed and directed the production said: “Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is something on a scale we’ve never done before, and I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge – it’s such an exciting opportunity as a choreographer to tell these stories and recreate these characters through dance.

“It is also a great collaborative opportunity to have been working closely with Steven Knight on this original production. What you’re going to get as a result will be an inspiring and uplifting dance show, but so much more than a dance show.”

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby opened at Birmingham Hippodrome on 27  September-2 October 2022, where it followed with a London Premiere at Troubadour Wembley Park  Theatre from 12 October - 6 November 2022.  

Author Simon Sinek and Robin Saunders  work as Executive Producers on Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of  Thomas Shelby, alongside a creative team which includes Moi Tran (set design), Richard Gellar (costume design) and Natasha Chivers (lighting design), with dramaturgy by  Kaite O’Reilly. Also working with the cast is acting director Kim Pearce, illusions director Filipe J.  Carvalho, fight director Adrian Palmer, props supervisor Lily Mollgaard, and intimacy director Yarit  Dor, with sound design by Moshik Kop.

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, is a Rambert production in association with  Birmingham Hippodrome, co-produced with The Lowry, Executive Producers Rambert, Robin  Saunders and Simon Sinek, inspired by the television series Peaky Blinders created by Steven Knight in association with official brand owners and series producer Caryn Mandabach Productions. Peaky  Blinders TM © Caryn Mandabach Productions 2022. Licensed by Caryn Mandabach Productions. Rambert is supported by Arts Council England.