Rambert Dance have brought their groundbreaking interpretation of the cult TV series back to The Lowry and, quite simply, it mesmerizes.
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby (Picture: Johan Persson)Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is dark, menacing, and riveting. It’s a full-on assault on the senses with a spectacular trio of musicians providing a live soundtrack while the dancers tell the story of the rise and fall of the tormented Thomas Shelby.
It certainly helps if you have seen the TV series or are at least familiar with the characters, but even if you are completely new to the world of the Peaky Blinders, such is the quality of the storytelling, you will still be able to get so much from this production.
There is no dialogue as such, but the late Benjamin Zephaniah’s rich Brummie tones can be heard as a sporadic narrator to guide you through the visual maze unfolding in front of you.
Cillian Murphy’s tour de force on TV makes you wonder if anyone else could ever be Tommy Shelby, but Conor Kerrigan embodies the damaged and dangerous gangster. He’s got that square-shouldered stance, the shrugging on of the overcoat is perfect – he is Tommy Shelby brought to the stage.
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby (Picture: Johan Persson)And all the other characters – Arthur, Polly, Grace, and Ada are instantly recognizable, their different characteristics brilliantly observed by this cast of supremely gifted physical storytellers.
It’s a very dark story. The first scene from the battlefields of the First World War is harrowing, and this feeling of loss, instability, and terror hangs over the whole production.
This is in part due to some wonderfully creative lighting. Much of the show is seen through an eerie twilight where unknown fears lurk in the shadows.
The use of contemporary songs was an integral part of the TV series, and the music is just as vital for this work. Mitchel Emms on vocals, guitars, and keyboards; Joe Downard on bass and cello and drummer and percussionist Yaron Engler provide a hypnotic soundtrack which ranges from heavy metal to orchestral and at times is spine-chillingly beautiful.
And yes, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Red Right Hand does feature too.
But it’s the performances that are most memorable. For anyone who thinks a dance show isn’t for them, just come and see this and then try to argue that point.
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby (Picture: Johan Persson)The power, the sinuous beauty, and the effortless storytelling are just something to behold. An intense gang fight as Tommy battles to regain power is worthy of any Hollywood epic. The scene in an opium den as Tommy tries to forget the nightmares that constantly haunt him is eerie, disturbing, and downright scary at times.
There is so much crammed into this production. You are immediately immersed in the dark and dangerous world of Tommy Shelby, and you’ll sit there and be spellbound throughout. It’s a production that brings a whole new dimension to Peaky Blinders.
Until Saturday. Details from www.thelowry.com