LET ME GO by ZHANG CHEN

 

Let Me Go is a one-hour play about the conflict between family expectations and personal dreams. It was directed by Christopher Ling and performed by students from TUTAS. Though the show is short, it leaves a strong impression, especially for young people like me. Especially when I see actors in dramatic conflicts, they are not understood by their mothers, favored by the company, or even ignored because they pursue their dreams. But when I am still full of energy to pursue my dream of becoming a star, I choose to stay away from my hometown for the sake of my dream, but not be understood by those around me. My mother's worries and father's incomprehension, but I still insist on my choice. 

I deeply feel that I am also a person who came here to study and choose art for no other reason than because I once loved it and want to continue to hold on to this love. Thinking about the hardships that have come this way, I once persisted in losing weight in order to join the production team, and finally successfully entered the production team. Losing weight is tiring, it's hard, it's tiring. But when I see the visual effects presented, I am very happy and even more passionate about art. I am also more convinced that I love art very much. 

During the performance, when Sari saw her mother kneeling down and praying for herself, and when she saw her mother sacrificing her own face to fight for opportunities for herself, she finally couldn't help but embrace her. Perhaps this is the power of maternal love. Similarly, when her father chose unconditional support, it made me a little stunned. I understood that my current achievements could not be achieved without the support of my family, and that I could continue to pursue what I love without the help of my family. The story follows Nira, a girl who has always wanted to be an actress. She’s ready to leave for Hollywood, but her mother is completely against it. Her aunt keeps making sarcastic comments, and her father tries to stay neutral but doesn’t really help. 

This kind of situation—when your whole family disagrees with your dream—feels very real. And I think Nira is brave. She knows what she wants, but she also doesn’t want to hurt her parents. That struggle between being independent and being a “good daughter” is something many of us can relate to. Her mother represents older values—safety, tradition, and staying close to home. The aunt is funny, but what she says shows how society still judges women who want to be different. The dialogue is natural and easy to follow. There are moments that are funny, but also very emotional. One of the scenes that stayed with me was when Nira quietly packs her bag while crying—it was a simple moment, but very powerful. It seems that what she wants to express is not only her own unwillingness, but also a girl's desire to walk her own path, just to prove that what she loves is right, and to express her dissatisfaction with society. 

Behind the scenes in society, there are many hidden actors and some people who have actor dreams. They are not favored or exploited by others, but instead leave opportunities for those who succeed through improper channels. This indirectly criticizes her unwillingness to accept this phenomenon and calls on everyone to have something they insist on, rather than being controlled by others. Although they do it, they cannot concentrate if they care too much about others' opinions The stage setup was simple, mostly just a living room, but it worked well. The pacing was tight, and the actors did a great job, especially the actress who played Nira. She handled the emotional scenes with great control. The entire stage presents a fascinating effect, with the use of top lighting to express the inner activities of the characters, metering to depict the opposing sides of the two, and different colored lighting presenting different effects that are even more immersive. 

Overall, I think Let Me Go is a play that both students and parents should watch. It’s not just about one girl leaving home—it’s about all of us trying to find our own path while balancing what our families expect from us.