This month, at the Birmingham Hippodrome, premiered a new dance theatre production explored the origins of Peaky Blinders’ main character, Tommy Shelby. The artistic director of London’s contemporary dance company Rambert, Benoit Swan Pouffer, directed and choreographed a production based on the hit BBC series Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby. Creator Steven Knight of Peaky Blinders has created a theatrical adaptation of the show, and he has lately stated that it is likely to tour the United States.
Knight was quoted this week on BBC Radio 4 saying, “After it finishes in the UK in Birmingham we’re hoping it travels onto New York and then Boston because the play has tremendous worldwide appeal, so I think this one can spread.” Twenty dancers and a live band performing specially commissioned music make up this Rambert spectacle. The modern dance production provides further context for Tommy, taking place at the close of World War I when he was a sergeant major.
The tale revolves around Tommy and his first wife Grace Burgess, an undercover agent for Special Branch whose job it was to become close to Tommy and learn about his illicit activities. Tommy and Grace, formerly played by Cillian Murphy and Anabelle Wallis on the sitcom, is now performed by Guillaume Queau and Seren Williams in the dance adaptation. The dance production also includes new information about the story and character development that was cut from the film. In 2023, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby will tour the United Kingdom.
From October 12 to November 6, it will also be presented at London’s Troubadour Wembley Park. The six-season run of Peaky Blinders on BBC One finished last April, and viewers were left wondering what would become of mafia leader Tommy after he had a health crisis that led everyone to fear for his life. Knight announced in July 2018 that a Peaky Blinders movie is in the works and would likely conclude Tommy’s journey. Knight announced on the Heart Breakfast Show that he has nearly finished scripting the film and is now confirming filming sites.
After World War One, Birmingham mobster Tommy Shelby and his brothers formed their own criminal organisation, the Peaky Blinders, which had its origins in the 1920s. The first season of Peaky Blinders was broadcast on BBC One in 2013. Murphy, Paul Anderson, Tom Hardy, Finn Cole, and Sophie Rundle appeared in the show.