
Opening amid the horrors of Flanders, before sweeping in to post-war industrial Birmingham, Rambert Dance’s adaption of Peaky Blinders was always going to be dark, judging by the subject matter, staging, music and choreography itself.
Throw in its sub title: ‘The Redemption of Thomas Shelby’ and Steven Knight’s modern dance adaptation of the Netflix phenomenon that pits the outlaw gang against the Establishment and you soon realise it’s not going to turn out well.

The scene is set then for both familiarity in the Peaky Blinders aesthetic, and a plot complete with opium, debauchery, attempted suicide, murder, marriage and ultimate ‘redemption’ (no spoiler-alert; it’s in the title). Throw in factory workers rights, a lads’ night out and a day of robbing at the races and you’re in well known TV territory.
Once a murder takes place however, all hell breaks loose, the glinting razor-blades in the lads’ caps glittering malevolently on stage.

All of which almost detract from the dancing itself, and while Rambert has built a world renowned reputation on its daring and diverse performances, there was so much, dare I say too much, content to choreograph and narrate, that subsequently it was hard to follow.
The late great Benjamin Zephaniah‘s atmospheric voice-overs helped, but they were sparse, meaning we were often on the back foot when faced with the competently executed, continual and complex choreography.

We got there eventually though, and the roar of approval from the packed house and the audience’s semi-standing ovation, proved that Peaky Blinders is still very much of the now, as is Rambert’s daring.
And while it’s a bold move to tell Thomas Shelby and co.’s complex story through dance instead of dialogue, there was no denying the consummate passion of the dancers and musicians on stage. Indeed, in terms of bringing dance to the people in an accessible and familiar package, Rambert must be applauded further.

And as I left the theatre, I couldn’t have agreed more with Steven Knight, who writes in the programme: ‘If the concept of a Peaky Blinders dance seems strange, reserve judgement and reserve a ticket,” because it’s certainly an exciting and dynamic night out.
Edward Bliss
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is at New Theatre Oxford until Sat Oct 19. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/peaky-blinders-the-redemption-of-thomas-shelby/new-theatre-oxford/