Belgium's Peeping Tom Debuts David Lynch-style Suspenseful Work

The Belgian dance theater company Peeping Tom is bringing its representative work "Diptych" to Shanghai for the 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Founded in 2000 by choreographers Gabriela Carrizo and Franck Chartier, Peeping Tom is making its debut in Chinese mainland.

"Diptych" has been acclaimed by audiences worldwide for its "David Lynch-style" surreal aesthetics, cinematic quality, and suspenseful physical storytelling. It has also been nominated for the Olivier Award for "Best New Dance Production".

American Lynch was the visionary and eccentric director behind "Twin Peaks," "Blue Velvet," and "Eraserhead." He passed away early this year aged 78.

"Diptych" is adapted from two shorter works originally created by the choreographers for the Nederlands Dans Theater. Through two interconnected stage settings – The Missing Door and The Lost Room – it constructs a claustrophobic, enclosed space. The unopenable door and confined corridors evoke a sense of oppression, mirroring the inner struggles of the characters within the cabin.

On stage, hyper-realistic sets, meticulous lighting, and sound design are all precisely coordinated like cinematic shots. Scene transitions resemble montage editing, and combined with the suspenseful plot, the piece builds a dual visual and psychological adventure for the audience.

The dancers' grotesque and contorted movements give tangible form to the characters' desires and fears, as if tearing through the surface of everyday life to reveal the hidden depths of human nature. This prompts viewers to reflect on themes such as interpersonal relationships, power dynamics, and the future of humanity.

Wherever "Diptych" is performed, local actors are invited to join the cast and play a specific role. Ballet dancer Yang Xinhua will take part in the Shanghai performances.

Performance info

Dates: October 31 and November 1, 7:30pm; November 2, 2pm

Tickets: 80-1,080 yuan

Venue: Shanghai International Dance Center Theater 上海国际舞蹈中心

Address: 1650 Hongqiao Rd 虹桥路1650号