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The Dictionary of Lost Words

Adapted by Verity Laughton. From the novel by Pip Williams.
Theatre
Dunstan Playhouse
DOLW 2560 x 1280
15 shows

Accessibility

Reserves and Prices

In 1901, the word bondmaid was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. The Dictionary of Lost Words is the story of the girl who found it.

After delighting audiences and critics alike in sold out seasons in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, our highest and fastest selling show in the history of the Dunstan Playhouse returns to Adelaide as part of a wider national tour throughout 2025.

Lovingly adapted by South Australian playwright Verity Laughton from Pip Williams’ acclaimed bestseller, The Dictionary of Lost Words tells the story of Esme, a young girl who takes it upon herself to preserve the ‘women’s words’ being neglected by the male lexicographers creating the first Oxford Dictionary. Set in 1886 and based on true events, the sweeping historical tale takes audiences from Esme’s formative years in the Scriptorium right into adulthood where she navigates love, loss and the power of language.


Accessibility
Recommended for ages 16+
Runtime

Presented by

STCSA 2023 Hero Landscape

State Theatre Company South Australia is the flagship theatre company of South Australia and is a resident artistic company of the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Discover State Theatre Company South Australia

Dates

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Mon 31 Mar

Tue 01 Apr

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Performance Location: Dunstan Playhouse

Dunstanplayhouse 900x600

You can enter Dunstan Playhouse by foot from North Ter­race, Ade­laide Rail­way Sta­tion, Ade­laide Oval, or King William Road. 

From North Ter­race, walk down the laneway along­side SkyC­i­ty Casi­no. From King William Road, you can walk over Fes­ti­val Plaza (there’s a lift and esca­la­tor down to the Dunstan Play­house lev­el) or along the Walk of Fame from Elder Park.

Directions via Google

Accessible drop off

There is an acces­si­ble drop off area locat­ed off Fes­ti­val Dri­ve under the River­bank Footbridge.

A des­ig­nat­ed dis­abil­i­ty drop off is also avail­able 45 min­utes before per­for­mances. To access this drop off area, turn onto Fes­ti­val Dri­ve from King William Road, pass the Fes­ti­val Plaza car park entrance and stay left, dri­ving through the EOS Hotel vis­i­tor drop off loop to arrive at the Dun­stan Play­house & Space Theatre access drop off. 

Taxi services

The best place to be dropped off by taxi is on King William Road at the Fes­ti­val The­atre or on North Terrace. There is also a drop off area locat­ed off low­er Fes­ti­val Dri­ve under­neath the River­bank Footbridge. 

Car parking

The nearest car park is the Convention Centre Riverbank Car Park

  • Open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Location: Festival Drive (adjacent Montefiore Road), Adelaide
  • Entry: Festival Dr via King William Rd (Height: 2.0m) | Festival Dr via Montefiore Rd (Height: 2.0m)

Once you've parked, the eastern lift will take you to the promenade level where it's a short walk to the theatre. 

Go to Adelaide Convention Centre website

Public transport

Accessible by many forms of public transport including trains, buses, the tram (stop at Railway Station) and a free bus service that operates on a loop throughout the city and North Adelaide with stops on the corner of King William Road and North Terrace.

Go to Adelaide Metro website

Accessible seating

Boxes 1 and 4 plus selected seats in row L have removable seats to accommodate patrons who wish to remain seated in their wheelchair or transfer to a theatre seat.

Toilets

Accessible toilets are available at all Adelaide Festival Centre venues.

Assistance animals

Every theatre and event/function area of Adelaide Festival Centre is assistance animal friendly. 

Audio assistance

Festival Theatre and Dunstan Playhouse have hearing loop facilities, limited to particular seats in the venues.

Audience members who require hearing assistance are now able to enjoy the show via the Beyerdynamic Hearing System.

More about our Access Services

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