Theatre

A Peaky Blinders-inspired theatre show is heading to The Lowry next year

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 18th January 2022

A new theatre show inspired by the hit TV series Peaky Blinders will visit The Lowry next year.

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is set to head out on a massive UK tour in 2023, including a run of dates in Salford.

The first-of-its-kind dance show has been adapted for the stage by the show’s creator, Steven Knight.

It will pick up the Peaky Blinders story at the end of World War One and will follow Tommy and his partner Grace Burgess through passion, deception and many broken hearts.

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby. Credit: Rambert / Birmingham Hippodrome

The show opens in the trenches on the front line but will see how Tommy’s own story and his intoxication with Grace unfolds.

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Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is directed and choreographed by Rambert’s artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer and will feature 20 permanent members of the Rambert dance company.

The dazzling dances will be soundtracked by a live band playing specially-commissioned music.

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Read more: Famous films and TV shows that were shot around Manchester

It will make its world premiere in Birmingham – where the Peaky Blinders gang were from – before visiting The Lowry between 14 and 18 March, 2023.

You can get tickets at thelowry.com/whats-on/peaky-blinders-the-redemption-of-tommy-shelby.

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Steven Knight said: “Peaky Blinders has always had music and movement at its heart and now the beating heart of the show will be transferred to the stage, an interpretation of Tommy’s story performed by Rambert, one of the leading dance companies in the world.

“This is dance for people who don’t usually watch dance and what I’ve written has been transformed into something startling by consummate dancers and choreographers.

Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby. Credit: Rambert / Birmingham Hippodrome

“If the concept of a Peaky Blinders dance seems strange, reserve judgement and reserve a ticket.”

Benoit Swan Pouffer added: “Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is something on a scale we’ve never done before, and I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge – it’s such an exciting opportunity as a choreographer to tell these stories and recreate these characters through dance.”

Full touring dates for Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby

  • Birmingham Hippodrome – 27 September to 2 October
  • Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London – 12 October to 6 November
  • Norwich Theatre Royal – 17 to 21 January
  • Alhambra Theatre, Bradford – 25 to 28 January
  • Hull New Theatre – 31 January to 4 February
  • Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – 7 to 11 February
  • Royal and Derngate, Northampton – 21 to 25 February
  • Festival Theatre Edinburgh – 28 February to 4 March
  • The Lowry, Salford – 14 to 18 March
  • Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff – 21 to 25 March
  • Theatre Royal Plymouth – 28 March to 1 April

Featured image: Rambert/Birmingham Hippodrome

Theatre

Chicago the Musical razzles (and dazzles) at the Palace Theatre in Manchester

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A story of murder, greed and corruption was performed with style, ease and flair; Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, and it’s easy to see why now that it’s arrived in Manchester.

The jazz-fuelled fiasco is filled with catchy songs that you can’t help but click along to, funny one-liners, and likeable characters such as Miss Roxy Hart herself.

Best-known for appearing as Kate Connor in Coronation Street, the opening night in Manchester on Chicago‘s UK tour may have been a daunting prospect, but it’s one Faye Brookes pulled off seamlessly.

Here’s our full review…

Image: Press Images (Supplied)

Brookes is fantastically expressive and brings new energy to a classic, complemented throughout by a sultry cast dressed in buckles and mesh that really bring the ‘Razzle Dazzle’ to the stage.

Her co-star, Strictly Come Dancing‘s Kevin Clifton, struts through the show transformed into Billy Flynn – a flamboyant 1920s American lawyer who has the desperate inmates in the palm of his hand.

The opening number, ‘All That Jazz’, is spearheaded by Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly and she does it brilliantly.

Image: Supplied

The cast slink their way across the stage with Scott at the forefront, who undoubtedly delivers a faultless performance and complements Brookes as Roxie Hart perfectly.

A highlight of course included the hilarious ‘Cell Block Tango’, the audience were laughing along as the women sang the stories of their murderous deeds whilst performing sharp and sultry choreography.

Not even a toe out of place.

Image: Supplied

The set is minimalist, dark and simple, but is simply brought to life by the wonderful expression and lively musical numbers performed on stage by the live band.

The live band sits on a staircase centre stage and their playful use of instruments throughout is truly impressive.

Neil MacDonald, the show’s musical director, even got involved with a few on-stage conversations which was a fabulous touch that made the show feel bespoke to us.

Images: Supplied

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Other notable performances included Brenda Edwards as Mamma Morton, whose powerhouse voice left the audience in absolute awe, and Joshua Lloyd as ‘Mister Cellophane’ caused a couple of pitiful “awws” from the auditorium.

Overall, this was a fantastic production of the Broadway classic – the standing ovation at the end proves I wasn’t the only one who thought that too.

Chicago the Musical is playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday, 9 November and you can grab your last-minute tickets HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press images (Supplied)

Theatre

Giselle, one of the greatest romantic ballets, has landed in Manchester and it’s a must-see

Eva Claricoates Eva Claricoates

When the English National Ballet is in Manchester, it’s an opportunity you shouldn’t let slip by, and is almost guaranteed to be one of the most stunning performances to grace the stage – Giselle at the Palace Theatre certainly was.

Giselle tells the story of a young peasant girl, who falls in love with Albrecht, a duke, who pretends to be a peasant in order to seduce the show’s namesake.

Albrecht is not only hiding his status but also an engagement to another. When Giselle finds out about his deception, she descends into madness and dies from a broken heart.

Giselle is summoned from the dead by spirits, the Wilis, all abandoned and betrayed before their wedding day. The Wilis take their revenge by dancing men to death, and Giselle must decide whether her love for Albrecht is too strong to sentence him to the same fate.

giselle ballet manchester review
giselle review palace theatre manchester
Credit: The Manc Group

Giselle tells a story of grief, heartbreak, and love, and how a true heart always avails. Hauntingly beautiful and romantic, Mary Skeaping’s production had been tenderly revived from its original performance, and it’s clear to see why the performance received five-star reviews earlier this year.

The entire production was captivating and dramatic, leaving the audience gasping, laughing and firmly glued to their seats. Adolphe Adam’s score is performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic nestled beneath the stage, which compliments the performance beautifully and skilfully.

Perhaps the most mesmerising point of the performance was the Wilis appearing in the forest at the beginning of act two, as they formed perfectly symmetrical formations, and appeared to almost float across the stage.

It served as a great medium for exploring themes of the supernatural exquisitely, providing truly stunning imagery to the audience.

Giselle uses mime to convey its storyline to the audience, and even if you are a first-time ballet-goer, it’s an easy-to-follow, modern performance which can be enjoyed by all audiences. If you’re so inclined, you can even get involved in a dedicated ballet masterclass.

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Giselle runs until the 2 November at the Palace Theatre and it’s well worth going along to if you ask us.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

It’s not the only impressive show we’ve caught at the Palace recently either.

Grease The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester – a fizzing celebration of nostalgia
If Giselle or the ballet doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, why not try the biggest show in Manchester right now?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/The Manc Group

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