A high-octane, rock ‘n roll romp through the world of the Brummie Blinders

I’ll get the cliché out of the way now: Fans of the show will love it !!

Immersive Everywhere’s new show Peaky Blinders: The Rise, directed by Tom Maller and written by Katie Lyons, is housed in a converted horse hospital in the heart of Camden Stables Market. Adapted from Stephen Knight’s TV show about the Shelbys, a family of Birmingham bookmakers in the 1920s, The Rise takes place around the start of Season 2. Having taken control of the northern racecourses, the Shelbys are expanding their betting/bootlegging operation into London with the help of Camden whisky-brewer Alfie Solomons. Here, they battle kingpin Charles ‘Darby’ Sabini for a lucrative export licence to sell whisky in America.

The immersion cannot be faulted, largely down to Rebecca Brower’s production design. The dark and seedy atmosphere of the Shelby-owned The Garrison has been expertly brought to life, contrasted by the posh Sabini-owned Eden Club. The two clubs are perfect foils, thrusting us in the middle of the Brummie-London battle.

The casting is excellent, it really feels like our beloved Shelbys have leapt off the screen. All the actors must be commended, not only for their meticulous work replicating these iconic characters, but for their commitment to audience involvement. Brits are not built for immersive theatre. Our polite awkwardness can make us feel like a rabbit in headlights anytime we’re asked a question: “Am I allowed to…? Oh right, so now I…can I have a script?” But these actors are brave and generous, driving us into the action and banishing any boredom or FOMO from this two-hour romp.

Without prior knowledge, the opening half-hour could be confusing. You’re flung into The Garrison with a bit too much grabbing your attention – an intriguing conversation with a Shelby or Thorne might be cut short by a call for silence as exposition is shouted across the pub. It’s easy to lose the story but, truth be told, the story itself isn’t the heart of the show. The heart lies in your individual journey through this world and it’s where The Rise shines.

For a show with hundreds of audience members, it does an incredible job of personalising the experience and making you feel like a vital cog in the Shelby operation.  With others from the audience I was whisked away by a Peaky, first to defuse a secret bomb and then to steal money from Sabini’s Eden Club. I felt real unity with these strangers as we bribed, conspired, and giggled our way through our own side-quest. I’m certain that on another night, I would’ve got a completely different yet equally engaging mission.

The music (Barnaby Race) must get a mention. Part of what made the TV show so captivating was its rock ‘n roll soundtrack and it’s replicated here – anthems by The White Stripes, The Fratellis and the Arctic Monkeys blast throughout The Garrison, turning us from audience to football crowd.

It’s not for everyone: non-fans will have to work hard to piece together the fragmented story, shyer audience members might not get enough attention and while I loved the Wembley-esque atmosphere, some might find it uncomfortable. However, by the show’s electrifying climax it would be impossible not to be cheering the Shelbys on.

By the end of the night I had given advice to Grace, spied for Lizzie, danced with Ada (highlight – Ada pls call me) and shook hands with Tommy Shelby himself. When Tommy first appears, silhouetted and striding through The Garrison to the tune of Red Right Hand, it’s a Peaky fan’s equivalent of being front-row at Harry Styles. If you left Season 6 still with an itch to scratch, then £40 is well-worth the giddy joy you’ll get seeing these characters in the flesh.

For fans, it’s a must-see. By order of the Peaky f***ing Blinders

P.S. I would like to apologise to Grace for spoiling her own death in Season 2, you looked genuinely shocked.