Striking rehearsal images released for Rambert and Birmingham Hippodrome’s
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby
Rambert and Birmingham Hippodrome today release a striking first look into rehearsals for 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 show will have its world premiere at co-producing partner venue Birmingham Hippodrome on 27 September, followed by a London premiere at Troubadour Wembley Park on 12 October before embarking on a UK tour in 2023.
Guillaume Quéau and Prince Lyons alternate the role of Thomas Shelby, with Naya Lovell and Seren Williams alternating the role of Grace, and the production features the permanent Rambert dance company on stage. Birmingham-born writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah who played street preacher Jeremiah Jesu in the TV series, provides pre-recorded narration for the production.
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby will feature live musicians performing a score written by Roman GianArthur and led by Musical Director Yaron Engler and as well as a new track by Laura Mvula. GianArthur worked with music consultant D.J. Walde to create the soundtrack for the production which will feature iconic songs from the television series.
Author Simon Sinek and Robin Saunders have also boarded the Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby as Executive Producers, 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.
Through dance theatre Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby picks up the story of the Peaky Blinders at the end of World War One, following Tommy Shelby and Grace Burgess through their passionate love affair. While Tommy is building his empire, Grace is operating as an undercover agent for Special Branch on a mission to get close to the heart of Tommy’s gang. As the story unfolds, many hearts are broken.
Dazzling, athletic dance and stunning dramatisation with an iconic eclectic Peaky soundtrack from live on-stage musicians.
Tommy and the Peaky Blinders fought together at Flanders and the show opens in the trenches. Bound by this experience, a very personal story unfolds as the Shelby family navigate the decisions that determine their fate and Tommy is intoxicated by the mysterious Grace.
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby will perform at Birmingham Hippodrome on 27 September, running until 2 October, followed by a London Premiere at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre between 12 October – 6 November before embarking on a UK tour in 2023.
The 2023 UK tour will visit Norwich Theatre Royal (17-21 January), Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (25-28 January), Hull New Theatre (31 January-4 February), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (7-11 February), Royal and Derngate, Northampton (21-25 February), Festival Theatre Edinburgh (28 February-4 March), The Lowry, Salford (14-18 March), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (21-25 March) and Theatre Royal Plymouth (28 March-1 April), before returning to Birmingham Hippodrome from 23-27 May.
Tickets for Birmingham Hippodrome can be booked at birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0844 338 5000*(*calls cost 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).
Tickets for all touring venues can be booked at peakyblindersdance.com
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.