Review: Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, Bristol Hippodrome – ‘Exceptional’

I doubt very much if anyone watching the TV series Peaky Blinders ever thought to themselves, “now this story really needs a dance routine”. I certainly didn’t, and was therefore surprised to see it being transformed for the stage by Rambert Dance, for Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby at the Bristol Hippodrome.

11 years after Tommy Shelby and his clan first hit our TV screens, we now have the retelling of the story via the medium of dance and music, but can it possibly work?

For those who didn’t catch it on TV, Peaky Blinders was a British crime drama set in post-World War I Birmingham, England. It follows the rise of the Shelby family, particularly Thomas ‘Tommy’ Shelby, as they build an empire through illegal betting, smuggling, and other criminal enterprises. The show takes its name from the gang known as the ‘Peaky Blinders’, who are notorious for sewing razor blades into the brims of their caps.

Barney (Musa Motha) and Tommy (Guillaume Quéau) in Rambert’s Peaky Blinders The Redemption of Thomas Shelby

Tommy, portrayed on the small screen by Cillian Murphy, is a war hero turned ruthless gangster, whose ambition is to expand his family’s power while dealing with personal demons, rival gangs, and law enforcement. The show was an instant success with TV audiences, beloved for its gritty period setting, stylish cinematography, and a modern soundtrack that contrasted with the historical backdrop of post WW1 Birmingham.

For the stage version, the show opens in the smoke-filled trenches of World War One, as we watch the Shelby clan lose their humanity in the horrors of the trenches through the medium of dance. Through a series of spectacular dance routines, Tommy’s life is played out before us.

Caití Carpenter and Angélique Blasco

It’s all here, the violence, romance and Tommy’s descent into drug-fuelled grief, played out via some incredible dance routines performed by this incredibly talented dance company.

With a blistering soundtrack performed on stage by a live band, the show includes music from Radiohead and of course the iconic theme song from the TV show from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Red Right Hand, as well as new numbers written for the show.

Top – Tommy (Guillaume Quéau) and Jonathan Wade

The choreography beautifully captures the dual nature of the storyline, merging intense energy and aggression with a tender love story, while seamlessly connecting music and movement.

The stage design, with its trenches built into the stage and used creatively throughout, works exceptionally well, even if it does leave the audience on the edge of their seat as the dancers effortlessly dance on and over the narrow walkway throughout.

Grace (Naya Lovell) and Thomas Shelby (Guillaume Quéau)

Those new to the story may struggle to follow everything, as other than the occasional input from the narrator, the story is almost completely told through dance.

But don’t come for the story of Tommy Shelby, come for the music and the incredible energetic contemporary dance. This is a visually stunning and immensely rewarding night out that will captivate you throughout. An exceptional show that may be one of the most exciting and coolest dance shows you will see this year or next.

Rambert’s Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is at Bristol Hippodrome on September 24-28 at 7.30pm, with an additional 2.30pm matinee performance on Saturday. Tickets are available at www.atgtickets.com.

All photos: Johan Persson

Read next:

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• Review: Rambert2, Bristol Old Vic