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2019
水曜日：Black Mary Poppins
Black Mary Poppins (블랙메리포핀스) is a Korean original psychological thriller musical that reimagines the Mary Poppins archetype in a dark mystery setting, following four siblings who uncover the truth behind a fire they cannot remember. The work later circulated internationally through licensed Japanese and Chinese productions.
English:
Black Mary Poppins
Korean:
블랙메리포핀스
Country: China | Language: Chinese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
Created by writer–composer–director Seo Yoon-mi and produced by Asia Bridge Contents, the musical premiered in May 2012 at Art One Theater 1 in Seoul. It received multiple nominations at the 18th Korea Musical Awards, including Best Original Musical, Best Director, Best Book, and Best Music, and continued to be revived regularly in Korea through 2023.
STORY
Set in 1926 Germany, a mysterious fire kills a renowned psychologist and injures his governess, Mary Schmidt, who rescues his four adopted children before vanishing the next day. The children, unable to recall what happened, are separated and raised in different households. Twelve years later, they reunite after receiving the doctor’s notebook, triggering fragmented memories and conflicting truths. The musical unfolds as a psychological thriller in which memory, trauma, and love collide, with a score built around dark tonal suspense and recurring motifs.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2012 premiere – Art One Theater 1, Seoul (Asia Bridge Contents)
Subsequent major revivals followed in 2013, 2014, 2016–17, 2020–21, 2021, and 2023 at venues including Dongguk University HaeRang Theater, Daehakro TOM 1 Theater, and NOL Seokyung Square Scone 1 Theater. The title has become a long-running Korean original known for frequent re-stagings and rotating casts.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
Japan – Tokyo & National Tour (2014 / 2016)
Licensed Japanese-language adaptation by Toho Theatre Company
Japanese premiere opened Jul 5, 2014 at Setagaya Public Theatre, followed by a 2016 tour to Hyogo, Fukuoka, and Aichi
The adaptation retained the core plot while localizing dialogue and lyrics for Japanese audiences. Different seasons featured rotating casts including Kei Otozuki, Ryosei Konishi, and Shoko Nakagawa.
China – Multiple Cities (2018–2022)
Licensed Chinese-language adaptation staged as 《星期三》 (Wednesday)
Premiered in Shanghai in 2018 and later toured to Beijing, Nanchang, and other cities
The Chinese version emphasized suspense and visual spectacle, with a reorchestrated score incorporating additional strings and sound-design elements. A 2022 revival at Jiangxi Arts Center introduced a new cast and was promoted as a psychological mystery musical based on the Korean original.
REFERENCES
NamuWiki – Black Mary Poppins production history (Korean)
https://namu.wiki/w/%EB%B8%94%EB%9E%99%EB%A9%94%EB%A6%AC%ED%8F%AC%ED%95%80%EC%8A%A4
Derashinera – Japanese production announcement and tour details
https://derashinera.jp/activity/black_mary_poppins/
Jiangxi Arts Center – Chinese production info for Wednesday (《星期三》), 2022
YouTube – KBS news coverage of China tour (archival clip)
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