by order of the peaky blinders - no. 3

by order of the peaky blinders - no.2

I love immersive theatre - actors mixing with the crowd, each carrying a little vignette of a much larger story.  Perhaps it's because I'm a frustrated thespian at heart, but I can't resist the temptation to ham it up and join in with the action. 

An early encounter with an itinerant Irish songstress sees me perform an enthusiastic medley of old Geordie folk songs loosely falling under the collective banner of 'Blue's Gaen Oot O'the Fashion. The wincing songstress provides an accompaniment on spoons to drown out the worst of my tuneless meanderings. 

My performance draws a small, bemused crowd and my reward is an invitation to the next boxing bout by the gypsy encampment. The tip-off is to watch out for an illicit gin shipment.

The bout itself proves to be loud, chaotic and noisy with a variety of actors circling the ring and banging the canvas as two vested gentleman do battle under the lights.  The loser is bloodied and felled, bringing the bout to a premature conclusion.

 

 

by order of the peaky blinders - no. 1

The sun is blazing, it's an uncommonly hot Indian summer afternoon, yet everywhere you look you can spot dapper gents clad in thick woolen coats, snappy suits and flat-caps. Their ladies are not to be outdone. They sport elegant gloves, flapper dresses, pearl sets and long cigarette holders.

Welcome then to the Official Peaky Blinders Festival, a two-day event held in the heart of Digbeth, the cultural centre of Birmingham.