Skip to main content
4th Wall Dramaturgy
2016-2017 Season

Let's Go Fly A Kite

February 01, 2017 11:12 AM
Ting Chun Chang

by Ting Chun Chang, dramaturg "Let's Go Fly a Kite," written by the Sherman Brothers, is one of the famous song in Mary Poppins. The symbol of the kite was mentioned in the beginning on in the script when Bert sings :

A FATHER, A MOTHER, A DAUGHTER, A SON. THE THREADS OF THEIR LIVES ARE RAVELING UNDONE. SOMETHING IS NEEDED TO TWIST THEM AS TIGHT AS A STRING YOU MIGHT USE WHEN YOU'RE FLYING A KITE......

Designers' Kite Idea

While we were exploring the idea of kite flying, scenic designer Michael Handley was able to share his personal story about the experience of flying kites with his family. He also discovered the cross symbol on the kite and was able to "mosaic" this idea into his design. Props designer Bradlee Hager then dug into some other research about how kites were designed in the early 20th century.

[caption id="attachment_5076" align="aligncenter" width="378"]
Flying a Kite 1910
This is the inspirational picture for Bradlee. Painted by Dame Laura Knight. Flying a Kite 1910. First Exhibited: London Riyal Academy 1910 No.712[/caption]
In reality, people made many different kinds of kites; some are very long, some are very complicated. However, in the script, it is described simply as a "red kite." Bradlee decided to create kites with the simplest design in order to not distract from the message of the show.

Kites In The Script

In the play, the first kite is shown by Michael Banks. He desires to fly kite with his father but is rejected. The "broken kite," as described in the play, is like his broken heart, wanting to be loved by his father. After George Bank realizes the importance of the family, he takes a beautiful red kite and flies it with his son.

The power of this message is also shown in the "Let's Go Fly a Kite" scene in the movie Saving Mr. Banks. Up to this point, P.L Travers has not been happy with the way Disney had been adapting her book into a film. In the scene, the Sherman Brothers sing the song for Travers in order to show her the revisions they had made to George Bank's character. The song transforms Travers' attitude about the project, giving us a clue into the importance of that character's journey.

More About Kites

One thing I like about the idea of the kite is that it goes alone well with a religious belief of BYU, which is centered in Jesus Christ. Further, it is echoing the department's educational mission: "To promote literacy, creativity, and spirituality by exploring their interrelatedness in the arts of theatre and media, in an effort to illuminate and confirm truth and the infinite potential of the human soul."

I know it might be too religious at this moment, but as a Chinese Mormon dramaturg, I would like to share with you that the symbol of the string in the kite for me is the same thing described in the Book of Mormon: "And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another...... having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another." (Mosiah 18:21)

Fun Facts About Kites

  • Kites were originally invented in China and used in the military as early as the 2nd century BC. They were made out of silk and bamboo and designed to imitate birds, bats, and butterflies.
  • In 1752, Benjamin Franklin’s famous experiment involved flying a kite in a thunderstorm and proved that lightning is caused by electricity.
  • The golden age of kite flying was between the years 1860 and
  • 1910. During this period, kites were used for a variety of things such as photography, wireless communication, aeronautics, and meteorology.
  • Today, kites are flown all over the world in festivals and parades. To dream of the kite symbolizes the desire to live carefree, but in a controlled way as the kite is tethered to string, you should never let go completely.

Making your Own Kite In the Mary Poppins' program, we have created an opportunity for you to create your own kite for your family. If you need some help, follow the instructions in this video, featuring prop designer Bradlee Hager. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMOfKGAMefA&t=35s

 Research Resources

  • https://tma.byu.edu/mission-statement/
  • http://www.damelauraknight.com/artwork/flying-a-kite-1910/
  • http://www.aerc.nhcue.edu.tw/4-0/teach93/s33/source-next-2.htm
  • http://www.hwjyw.com/zhwh/content/2011/06/16/18955.shtml

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"
Test

It's All So Very... British! (Part 2)

July 26, 2022 12:00 AM
Playwright Philip King knew how to get the laughs. Much of the humor in See How They Run is the contrast of American and English cultures. America's entrance into WWII and subsequent support of the United Kingdom led to many American troops stationed in England. Those troops brought their American culture and customs. Consequently, 1940s Britain was suddenly learning a lot about our culture; some of it they liked and some of it they didn't but Philip King's ability to find the humor in American/England cultural differences contributed to See How They Run's success. BBC America: 10 American Habits Brits Will Never Understand See How They Run's current version was purposefully revised for an American audience. In fact, the play has gone through more than one big change. The original script was a one act farce titled Moon Madness produced at Peterborough Reperatory in 1942. A few years later it went to Comedy Theatre on London's West End and it was there that King added a second act and renamed it See How They Run. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="343"] See How They Run first appeared in London during Hitler's second Blitz of Southern England news1.ghananation.com/international[/caption] Opening night on the West End was an exciting event. Rumor has it that during the show, three bombs dropped on London but even Hitler's Blitz could not stop the laughs. The show continued without a pause but George Gee, the actor playing Clive, later complained that all three bombs dropped during his funniest lines. See How They Run was so successful it continued for 600 more performances. In 1949, the show was once again revised and re-staged, this time in America. King changed Clive and Penelope to American characters to appeal to the local audience. Also, with the end of the Second World War and the rise of the Cold War, the original Nazi intruder was changed to a Russian spy. This is the version we present to you this year.
1 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"
Test

test

July 26, 2022 12:00 AM
story emporium
1 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"
Test

The Magic Flute "Cheat Sheet"

July 26, 2022 12:00 AM
If you’d like to learn more about The Magic Flute, this “cheat sheet” will help you! Click on the links below for more information about the opera, as well as the Brigham Young University production, running October 22-26, 2019.
1 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
Previous Next