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2019
獻給阿爾吉儂的花束
Mr. Mouse (미스터 마우스) is a Korean original musical based on Flowers for Algernon, first premiered in Seoul in 2006 and restaged in 2017. In 2019, it was adapted into Mandarin and performed in Shanghai under the title Bouquet for Algernon, marking the musical’s first confirmed Chinese-language production.
English:
Mr. Mouse
Korean:
미스터 마우스
Country: China | Language: Chinese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
The musical was created by Papa Production and later co-produced with SHOWNOTE. It is based on Daniel Keyes’ 1959 novel Flowers for Algernon and was first staged at the NEMO Theater (formerly Sadari Arts Center) in Seoul in January 2006. Composer Jang So-young and lyricist Chun Woo-yeon developed the adaptation, which ran across multiple seasons until late 2007, followed by a large-scale revival in 2017 at Dongsoong Art Center. The story centers on a man with intellectual disabilities who undergoes an experimental operation to raise his intelligence, exploring themes of human dignity, emotional memory, and the limits of scientific ambition.
STORY
Inho, a 32-year-old man with the mental ability of a child, works at a Chinese restaurant until he is selected for a neurological experiment designed to enhance cognitive function. After surgery, his intelligence grows rapidly, allowing him to experience love, self-awareness, and social prejudice from a new perspective. As he surpasses even the scientists who created the procedure, he discovers the experiment’s fatal flaw: the “success” is temporary, and he must face the painful decline of his abilities while confronting his own past and relationships. The musical blends realism and fantasy, using a lab mouse named “Inu” as a symbolic mirror to Inho’s fate.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2006 Premiere – Wonder Space NEMO Theater, Seoul (Jan 21 – Apr 2, 2006), followed by additional seasons through Dec 2007
2017 Revival – Dongsoong Art Center Dongsoong Hall, Seoul (Mar 9 – May 14, 2017)
The musical has returned periodically and is recognized as one of the most enduring Korean dramatic adaptations of a Western novel.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
China – Shanghai (2019)
Licensed Mandarin-language adaptation – Shanghai People’s Grand Stage
Opened Dec 11, 2019 under the title 《獻給阿爾吉儂的花束》, produced by Good Show Company. Featured a new script and score adapted for Chinese audiences while retaining the core premise of the Korean musical. Directed and translated by Lee Hyun-kyu, the production drew attention for localizing Charlie Gordon’s psychological arc and positioning the work within China’s growing market for literary, emotion-driven musicals.
REFERENCES
NamuWiki – Overview of Korean production history (Korean)
https://namu.wiki/w/%EB%AF%B8%EC%8A%A4%ED%84%B0%20%EB%A7%88%EC%9A%B0%EC%8A%A4
NeoDB – Chinese production listing and cast details (Chinese)
https://neodb.social/performance/production/3QwL5buu6ptHmHC8dLi2ex
Douban – Musical entry for 獻給阿爾吉儂的花束 (Chinese user database)
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