Review: Peaky Blinders, Bristol Hippodrome - 'I had little idea what the story was about'

The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is a thrilling take on the story, told through incredible dancing from start to finish.    

It’s fast-paced, energetic and Rambert’s dancers can’t be faulted - but I had little idea what the story was about.

There’s no dialogue in the show, with it very much a dance interpretation of Tommy’s story.  

There are parts of the narrative that do make sense, including the cliffhanger at the end of the first half that has you coming back for the second.      

And I’m sure the structure would have been a lot clearer to those familiar with the storyline. 

But it’s very easy to get lost in the dancing and the movements taking place on stage, and lose track of what's going on.    

There’s also plenty of action, including gunshots and fight scenes - all told through dance, of course.    

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The show has low lighting and plenty of mist, which sets the gritty atmosphere very well.    

And if you look closely through the mist, you can see a live-on stage band, who truly complement the dancing. 

In terms of dancing, I can’t fault the stage adaptation - Rambert are one of the leading dance companies in the world.  

But to me, it felt too much about the dancing and too little about the plot.

It’s an amazing dance performance, but I would have loved to understand more of the Peaky Blinders story. Time to finally watch the series!    

The Redemption of Thomas Shelby runs at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday, September 28. For tickets, click here.