What makes life meaningful? Why do we do what we do? These large existential questions are dealt with humorously and poignantly in Jean Tong’s Do Not Pass Go.
Flux (Ella Prince) walks into a new job needing the money for a sex change operation … for they are not comfortable in their own skin. There they meet the strait-laced, by the book mother of a 15-year-old daughter, Penny (Belinda McClory). Flux has been hired after the firm with high expectations retrenched several staff not so long ago and left Penny working on her own. What they do is never clear, other than the work involves repetitive, not too difficult, but never-ending menial labour. Ever-increasing efficiency is the goal.
Penny is very good at her job, while Flux takes a while to pick up the flow, but once they do it also comes easily for them. At first, Penny is not interested in getting to know Flux. She is not into small talk. Rather, she is all work and would like each of them to remain in their own lane. Still, slowly but surely, Penny lets down her guard. She loosens up, is diagnosed with ADHD and her connection with Flux, who has some mental health challenges, grows. Their care for each other becomes far more meaningful than the work that drew them together in the first instance.
What we see is, at times, hilariously funny. On other occasions, bitingly devoid of substance. And, of course, that is the whole point. Developed through MTC’s NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program, with sharp wit Tong explores what the purpose is in what we do.
Ella Prince is a revelation as the out of kilter Flux. The artistry is not only in what they say, but how they carry themselves throughout. In their movements and facial expressions. Belinda McClory draws much from the initial stiffness and standoffishness of her character. Penny is the yin to Flux’s yang. The pair’s interactions bring the conceit to life.
Set and costume designer Jacob Batista has created a largely sterile work environment from which one could not possibly derive any pleasure. With a series of scenes that are sometimes mere seconds, the austere office lighting that flickers on and off between scenes seems highly appropriate to the material. That is the work of Harrie Hogan. Accompanying the lighting changes are short music strings from composer and sound designer Marco Cher.
In Do Not Pass Go, director Katy Maudlin exposes the absurdity of systems that demand everything, but give nothing in return. Clever and quirky, it is on at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler until 28th March, 2026.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Di and Viv and Rose (MTC) – theatre review
- Much Ado About Nothing (MTC), at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner – theatre review
- I Wanna Be Yours (MTC) – theatre review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
