PEAKY Blinders . . . a long-running TV series and soon-to-be feature film.

But a ballet . . . how?

All is revealed in a dance concept that is like nothing you have seen before. Just as the television version broke new ground, so does this inventive adaptation.

This is a powerful, striking, dark and mesmerising production and one that, at times, refuses point blank to be pigeon-holed.

Roman GianArthur uses themes from the TV series throughout the score played by a faultless three-piece live on stage band: Yarron Engler( drums) Joe Downard (cello) and Mitchel Emms on guitar.

They deliver a myriad of haunting sounds and many musical genres are tapped into.

One outstanding number is the familiar Red Right Hand from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

This dance adaptation is called Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby and for those who love the series this is a theatrical take - a prequel.

The build up backstory as to how the Shelby family dominated the Birmingham industrial area after the First World War.

It the 1914-1918 conflict that we first see the Shelby clan.

And the thread from that bloody, violent world is the theme - the ever present challenge of life versus death.

It is a slick piece of storytelling.

Choreography is simply stunning.

From the gripping start to the emotionally-draining finale we get inside the head of Thomas Shelby notably in an opium- induced nightmare.

Director and choreographer Benoit Swan Louffer has a very talented and versatile cast to weave this dance piece into the collective consciousness.

It is very dark with plenty of dry ice and atmospheric synchronicity between music and dance - notably in the brilliantly excited fight sequences.

The stage becomes everything from trenches to fairground carousel, racecourse, hospital to nightclub.

This is a celebration of imagination and invention.

At the end of the two and half hours the audience has experienced a love story Tom Shelby (Conor Kerrigan) and Grace (Naya Novell have a strong visual chemistry.

Few words are spoken but the late poet Benjamin Zephania's narrative adds a poignant touch.

His family were in the audience for press night to watch a performance dedicated to him.

And so . . . do you need to have seen Peaky Blinders to enjoy this show?

No. But it would help to read up on the content. The excellent programme gives a detailed account of how Stephen Knight's creation came to fruition and it's aims and ambitions.

If you are a fan of Peaky Blinders the TV series (parts of which where filmed in Liverpool) then this will give an alternative take on the small screen version.

Dance v dialogue - it's an interesting look at Thomas Shelby through another lens.

Full credit to Rambert Dance in helping make this art form even more accessible.

Verdict: 4 Stars - a modern dance spectacle.

The production is on until Saturday. Tickets from Atgtickets.com