“An independent dance company, dedicated to bringing dance to the people,” declares Birmingham’s best-known gangster Tommy Shelby in an episode from series five of the hit TV series Peaky Blinders.
Tommy is hosting a lavish birthday dinner at his country pile for his wife Lizzie with guests including fascist leader Oswald Mosley.
The gang leader introduces a performance of Swan Lake featuring dancers from the renowned company Rambert, which captivates the majority of the audience but sends his brother and partner in crime Arthur to sleep.
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is confident no one will be dozing off during his latest venture, a real-life dance show called Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, again in collaboration with Rambert, but on a much bigger scale.
Having also worked with the London-based company on that TV episode and 2019’s Peaky Blinders festival, Knight was keen to bring the dance experience to a new audience.
“I’m the least likely person to attend a dance show,” he says. “And yet the experience I’ve had watching rehearsals… is absolutely fantastic. I really want to get that message out there that if you think you don’t like dance, come and see the show and you’ll find out that you do. Anyone who likes Strictly can love this show.”