Join the Peaky Blinders as they come alive in this power-packed, riveting immersive experience!
Trouble is afoot in 1921 London, with power-hungry gangs rivalling to take control of the city. The Peaky Blinders have just arrived, and you must pick a side to survive!
Based on the global hit tv show created by Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders: The Rise is written by Katie Lyons and directed by Tom Maller. This experience has been created by Immersive Everywhere, the minds which brought us The Great Gatsby and Doctor Who Time Fracture. The Rise perfectly captures the interwar period in England – by combining a dark, foreboding atmosphere with the merrymaking of the people, who believed the war was over once and for all. The show tells the story of the Small Heath gang as they rise to power and their many vices and virtues.
Of course, the The Rise centres around the main man, Tommy Shelby. The Rise is set at the point in Shelby’s life when he eyes London as part of his expansion plan. The viewers participate in the Shelbys’ quest for power, with the audience having to decide whether to work with them or against them, as they are divided into different families and given tasks to navigate life in London during the roaring 20s! We were ushered into the world of the Peaky Blinders under clear instructions – “You’re all bakers!”. The audience are divided into families, with a character taking charge of each family. This character then guides you towards tasks. However, most of the time you are free to roam and choose where the experience takes you – I chose to try my luck and gamble at the bookies!
What follows is an engaging turn of events, reworked from important twists and turns in the show. There is even live music which was a pleasant surprise, and only added to the enchanted evening. The lighting design by Terry Cook and set design by Rebecca Brower are fabulous. The set features all the main locations in the show, including The Garrison, betting shops and Eden Club. The different locations play well into the rich complexity of every scene planned! The show features all the main characters from the TV series and even a few recurring favorites like Alfie Solomons and the infamous Sabini.
I was naturally a little skeptical about this experience, as I have been so married to the idea of Cillian Murphy being Tommy Shelby that it seemed unlikely that someone else could reprise the role with the same charisma. But Craig Hamilton’s performance swept me off my feet. He wears Shelby with such extraordinary authority, you can’t help but feel charmed. From Tommy’s general demeanor to even the way he smokes his cigarettes, Hamilton has captured the character perfectly.
Not to give anything away but having Polly in the show made my heart warm as I dearly missed watching her in the final season. All the actors deliver impressive performances, but Kieran Mortell as Arthur Shelby is a virtuoso!
If you’re a true Peaky Blinders fan, this must make your bucket list! Until scientists invent a time machine, this is the most effective way to be entertained and enthralled in the world of Shelby’s.
Fans of immersive theatre will also enjoy Peaky Blinders: The Rise. Although if someone has never watched Peaky Blinders, while they’d of course still be able to take part, they may not fully understand the rationale behind parts of this experience. Therefore, if you’ve never seen the show before, I’d recommend reading up on it before setting off on this experience.
So get Dressed Up, Drink, Dance, Compete and Most of All, Prepare to Win – By Order of the Peaky Blinders!
{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}
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