Norwich, get your flap caps ready! Thomas Shelby and his gang of Peaky Blinders surge onto the Norwich Theatre Royal stage between 17 – 21 Jan in Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby.
Norwich is the first stop in the gritty underworld of the UK tour. Written and adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is the first of its kind dance theatre show, directed and choreographed by Rambert’s Artistic Director, Benoit Swan Pouffer.
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.
Each element of the production takes us inside the mind of Tommy Shelby, from the menacing rock score to the daring dance. The split level set represents Shelby’s time in the trenches and remain a part of the production the same way the remain prominent in every part of this retelling of his story.
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.”
Benoit Swan Pouffer added, “Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is something on a scale we’ve never done before. It’s such an exciting opportunity as a choreographer to tell these stories and recreate these characters through dance. 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.”
Writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who played street preacher Jeremiah Jesu in the TV series, will provide pre-recorded narration for the production. On his role as the narrator Benjamin Zephaniah said: “I remember growing up in Birmingham and hearing about the Peaky Blinders, and I remember hearing about the great Rambert. I could never have imagined me, Peaky Blinders, and Rambert coming together. This gig was made for me. Rambert is taking the Peaky Blinders to another level. When these two come together, audiences will witness one of the most imaginative collaborations of all time. I’m so proud to be a part of this. We are making dance history, and we’re still keeping it gangster.”
Prepare to travel back to the 1920s with Tommy and his gang, get sucked into the chaos and danger and see Rambert as you’ve never seen them before.
Get your tickets by the order of the Peaky Blinders!
