An interview with Benoit Swan Pouffer, Artistic Director of Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby
Please tell us about the experience of helping to bring Peaky Blinders to life through dance – how does this compare to other shows in which you have been involved? Any particularly rewarding or challenging aspects?
For creatives, it’s our mission to bring dance to the people as it’s important to democratise dance. It’s been an amazing experience getting to work with Steven Knight for the opportunity to bring some of the series’ integral characters to life through dance.
For me, the first opening was really special as I saw the vibrant reception from the audience, and got to connect with people who have never seen dance before. That was an incredibly rewarding moment; one that I keep getting to witness as the show tours.
What about your experience working together with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight? How did this collaboration come about?
Steven Knight and I met after the BBC recommended that we talk about potentially collaborating on creating a small excerpt for a Peaky Blinders festival that was to take place in Birmingham, UK.
At the time, I didn’t know what we could or would do together but the 12 minute piece showed us that we could do more and, following this, Rambert dancers featured in Series 5 of the TV series itself. As a choreographer, I love that I get to continue telling these stories through movement, as Steven Knight and I continue our collaboration by creating and touring Rambert’s Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby.
Benoit Swan Pouffer
Artistic Director
Dance allows emotions to be portrayed through the body, and there are many emotions to explore in Peaky Blinders.
How does this innovative dance theatre show differ from more traditional (contemporary) dance performances?
The difference comes in the collaboration between Peaky Blinders and Rambert.
There are many moments that make this production unique but an integral one is that there is live music on stage. I always wanted the show to feel like a Rock n Roll concert so having a band perform with the dancers felt organic. Rambert is one of the world’s most diverse companies of dancers, and I’m proud that we get to present adventurous, dynamic and daring work that inspires audiences, locally, nationally and internationally.
What do you hope audiences will take away from this show?
As a company, we are so proud of the success of Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby and are excited to see its return. Having had the opportunity of presenting this work to audiences across the UK, I’m excited for even more people to see it and to witness how audiences respond to it as it continues to tour internationally.
You might also be interested in
Rambert return to Southampton by order of the Peaky Blinders
Rambert Dance in
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby
20 – 24 May 2025 | Mayflower Theatre
Opening in the trenches of Flanders, a personal story unfolds in post-war industrial Birmingham as the Shelby family navigate the decisions that determine their fate and Tommy is intoxicated by mysterious newcomer, Grace. While Tommy is building his empire, Grace is operating as an undercover agent for Special Branch on a mission to get close to the heart of Tommy’s gang. As the story unfolds, hearts are broken, and revenge is sought.