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.