Dunstan Playhouse & Space Theatre
Plan your visit to Dunstan Playhouse, Space Theatre, and Children’s Artspace.
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.
This venue is wheelchair accessible.
Accessible tickets and Companion Card bookings are now available online for many Adelaide Festival Centre shows on Ticketek.
If the show you are looking at doesn't have online booking available, please complete Ticketek's Accessible Seating Form and you will be contacted to process your booking.
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 AustraliaYou 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.
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.
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.
The nearest car park is the Convention Centre Riverbank Car Park.
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
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.
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.
Accessible toilets are available at all Adelaide Festival Centre venues.
Every theatre and event/function area of Adelaide Festival Centre is assistance animal friendly.
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.
Plan your visit to Dunstan Playhouse, Space Theatre, and Children’s Artspace.
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