Birmingham Bullring bull joins Peaky Blinders build-up
A Birmingham city landmark has been dressed in 1920s garb to celebrate the return to the television screen of cult gangster drama Peaky Blinders.
The Bullring's famous bronze bull was given a flat cap and waistcoat, complete with pocket watch, to coincide with the eagerly awaited fifth series, part filmed at the Black Country Museum in Dudley, which starts tonight following a two-year gap.
The build-up to the launch reached fever pitch. In July, more than 76,000 people applied for tickets to the first exclusive screening of the season five premiere held in Birmingham Town Hall.
Next month will see the first official Peaky Blinders festival, with two days of music, fashion, street food – and even a 'bespoke ballet Rambert performance' – in the Digbeth and Small Heath areas of Birmingham, where the original gang was based.
The six-ton Bullring statue acquired the Shelby look thanks to set and costume designer Kate Unwin, who has been making costumes for large sculptures for more than six years.
It is the latest of several outfits she has designed for the bull.
"It’s quite challenging, as the bull is in a twisted position and all the measurements are quite different," she said. "Many a time I have been trying to shimmy underneath the bull in the freezing cold with rain pouring down my back.”
Bullring marketing manager Danielle Bozward said: “Our Shelby bull has put a smile on everyone’s face and people have been taking numerous selfies. Kate has done a phenomenal job."
