Period crime drama, Peaky Blinders, wowed TV audiences from 2013 to 2022. And now a Rambert Dance production of the same name, is wowing theatre audiences nationwide.
On Tuesday evening, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby came to Hull New Theatre, and from “curtain up” it was action all the way.
The Peaky refers to a popular style of flat cap, and the Blinders is common slang for someone well-dressed and dapper. I spotted quite a few theatregoers sporting a Peaky and very dapper they all looked, too.
The unbelievably atmospheric opening stage setting took us straight to the trenches of Flanders, during the First World War, with dramatic scenes from which emerged five young men – alive, but dead inside from the horrors they had witnessed and taken part in.
Fast-forward to post-war industrial Birmingham, and the five – Thomas Shelby (Guillaume Quéau), Arthur Shelby (Dylan Tedaldi), Barney (Musa Motha), Jeremiah (Alex Soulliere) and John Shelby (Joseph Kudra) – are now fully-fledged, Peaky-wearing gang members.
Egged on by the Shelby matriarch, Polly (Simone Damberg-Würtz) and her daughter, Ada (Adél Bálint), we try to keep pace with the mad, bad and dangerous decisions the Shelby’s make – and it’s gripping stuff.
The super, super-talented Rambert dancers were aided and abetted by a fantastic stage setting throughout with swirling mists, huge flames, carousel horses, poppies falling from the sky, sparks, light and darkness being just a few of the effects to dazzle, and sometimes disorientate, us.
Equally amazing were the costumes – the four hounds on leashes were stand-out. But fabulous as all this was, the music played by the on-stage band, was the glue that held it all together.
The rhythmic drumming lulled us into a trance at times, before other instruments – cello, bass, guitar and keyboards – gave us an eardrum-shattering rock concert thrill with tunes by Radiohead, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds to name just two bands. And the great vocals were the icing on the musical cake.
Amidst all the fighting, killing, shooting, gambling and general naughtiness, Thomas Shelby falls heavily for a woman called Grace (Aishwarya Raut), who becomes responsible for his temporary descent into madness.
It takes a family tragedy to snap him out of his depression and for the warring Shelby’s to wave the white flag on their unruly lifestyle.
I cannot find the adjectives to describe how good, and how different, this production is. World-class dancing, acting, music, stage setting, lighting, costumes and special effects, all merged to create the perfect, theatrical storm from which a fascinating and unforgettable story emerges.
Quéau, as Thomas Shelby, couldn’t be faulted. But then again, neither could anyone on stage that night. I especially couldn’t take my eyes off South African dancer, Motha, who, in his portrayal of Barney, has to be seen to be believed.
Phew! What a night.
Age recommendation 15+ due to some representation of violence, sex and drug use.
Running until Saturday, February 4th, 2023; 7.30pm nightly with 2.30pm matinee on Saturday, 4th. Tickets from 12. Call (01482) 300306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 31st January 2023
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★