Do Not Pass Go: Work's Grip in Melbourne Play

0:00This is Sydney News Today, powered by AI and presented by the Daily News Now. Do Not Pass Go is a new play by Jean Tongue at the Melbourne Theatre Company. It unfolds entirely in one plain white room under fluorescent lights, where two workers and great aprons handle endless pointless tasks like cutting, ribbons, stacking boxes, and inflating pool toys. The story dives into the daily grind of work and how it dominates our lives. Playwright Jean Tongue, an associate artist with the company, draws from capitalism's grip on society. Work takes up a third of our time, they note, yet people push through regardless of its value to personal relationships or communities just to get by. Financially, the two characters start as strangers, but slowly connect amid their routine. They share glimpses of their lives, navigate differences in politics, age, and backgrounds, and build an unlikely bond in this forced shared space. Tongue blends dry humor with moments of absurdity and quiet pain,

1:00highlighting the futility of some jobs while showing how co-workers can offer grace, amid tensions. It's a call to listen and understand each other better. Directed by Katie Modlin, the play runs at South Bank Theatre until March 28, 2026. This DNN story is thanks to our sponsor details in the description. Do Not Just Listen to Podcasts. Get lost in them comfortably. S-O-L-L-I, solelypillow.com. Made in AI.