Review: Do Not Pass Go – Melbourne Theatre Company

Last night, the Melbourne Theatre Company presented the world premiere of Do Not Pass Go, a new Australian play by Jean Tong (Heartbreak High, Erotic Stories, Hungry Ghosts). Developed through the company’s NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program, the production explores modern working life, friendship and the pressure many people feel when reflecting on where they are in life.

Staged at The Lawler, the more intimate performance space within Southbank Theatre, the play follows two co-workers, Flux and Penny, who appear very different but gradually connect while working at a repetitive and seemingly pointless job of unpacking and repacking boxes filled with paper, mini Christmas trees and inflatable decorations. The monotony of the work becomes a backdrop for conversations about identity, purpose and whether the effort people put into their job is actually leading anywhere meaningful.

One of the strengths of the production is the evolution of the characters. Penny (Belinda McClory) initially presents as focused and committed to doing her job well, while Flux (Ella Prince) is more relaxed, humorous and simply working to get by. However, Flux is not just comic relief; there is a clear vulnerability beneath the humour. She openly acknowledges the instability in her life and her uncertainty about the future. As their conversations develop, Penny begins to question her assumptions and relax into herself, allowing space for reflection. Their dialogue feels natural and grounded, moving between humour and more thoughtful moments without forcing emotion.

The title references the Monopoly instruction “Do not pass Go,” which connects well to the themes of routine, discipline and the sense of being stuck on a life track, working to pay for housing, bills and responsibilities without always stopping to consider whether it brings fulfilment.

Director Katy Maudlin brings a clear focus to the ideas around work and identity. The production considers what work is expected to provide: purpose, stability and meaning, and what happens when those expectations are not met. It also touches on exhaustion, ambition, gender expectations and the social systems that measure success through productivity, while still allowing space for humour and connection between the characters.

Performances by Belinda McClory and Ella Prince are believable and understated, supporting the conversational style of the script.

The set design by Jacob Battista reinforces the tone of the play. The workspace is intentionally sterile, with metal tables, drawers and stacks of brown boxes filling the stage, creating a sense of pressure and repetition. Lighting by Harrie Hogan is used effectively to indicate the passage of time, with warmer tones appearing later in the production to reflect subtle emotional shifts.

Do Not Pass Go is a thoughtful piece of contemporary theatre that encourages reflection without being heavy-handed. Many audience members are likely to relate to the conversations around work, expectations and personal direction. It offers humour, moments of pause and an opportunity to consider broader questions about happiness and purpose.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DATE: 14 FEB – 28 MAR 2026
VENUE: SOUTHBANK THEATRE, THE LAWLER
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Review: Do Not Pass Go – Melbourne Theatre Company

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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