‘Peaky Blinders’ dance prequel to open in Birmingham later this year
'Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby' will debut later this year
By Nick Reilly
A new theatrical adaptation of Peaky Blinders is set to premiere later this year.
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby has been adapted for the stage by the show’s creator Steven Knight after he teamed up with the Rambert dance company.
Rambert’s artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer says the “uplifting and inspiring” show will offer a fresh take on Tommy Shelby’s story in a post-World War One Birmingham.
“It’s such an exciting opportunity as a choreographer to tell these stories and recreate these characters through dance,” he explained.
The show is set to debut at Birmingham Hippodrome on September 27, with subsequent London dates at Wembley’s Troubadour Theatre expected to follow before a wider UK tour in 2023.
Knight added: “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.”[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”
Helen Shute, CEO and executive producer of Rambert, said: “We’re incredibly honoured to be trusted by Steven Knight with his nationally beloved Peaky Blinders … We look forward to welcoming a new generation of audiences to theatres with a story that speaks to so many people.”
As well as the show, Peaky fans can also look forward to an immersive theatre experience in 2022.
Titled ‘Peaky Blinders: The Rise’, it’s set to debut at Camden’s The Vanguard Theatre in London, near the location of the TV show’s Solomons Yard, and begins in Summer 2022.
A synopsis for the event said: “Follow the rise in fortune of Tommy Shelby and his family as the unfolding narrative and live actors place the audience right at the heart of the Shelby Company, featuring iconic locations, from the betting shop in Small Heath and The Garrison through to the bakery on the banks of Regent’s Canal, the home of the Solomons gang.”
‘Peaky Blinders‘ sixth and final season is due to air on the BBC in the coming months.
It comes after one of the show’s main stars, Helen McCrory, passed away last year. The actress, who portrayed Aunt Polly, died from cancer. It was originally thought she would feature heavily in the final season.
It was confirmed in October that the series will also be adapted into a feature film, after show creator Stephen Knight said that shooting will begin in 2023.