The Dictionary of Lost Words - Sydney Theatre Company

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Thu 26 Oct 2023 - Sat 16 Dec 2023

“The Dictionary of Lost Words”, the best-selling novel by Pip Williams, has been beautifully adapted for the stage and adds a new and immersive dimension to the much-loved book.

This production by the Sydney Theatre Company honours the book thoughtfully, with the actors giving heartfelt performances that draw the audience in, their engagement with the story and the characters’ lives felt throughout the theatre. The set design, staging and costumes are superbly executed in their representation of time and place.

The story begins in 1886 and follows the life of Esme, the daughter of lexicographer, Harry, who is working on the Oxford English Dictionary. Esme grows up in the Scriptorium where her fascination with words and language is kindled as she hides under the sorting table observing and listening to her father and his male colleagues who are charged with attributing meanings to words.

As Esme collects the word slips ignored and discarded by the male-dominated dictionary staff, she discovers a world of women’s voices, stories and struggles. Through Esme’s journey, the story explores themes of feminism, empowerment and the power of language in shaping social change, all while weaving a captivating narrative around the lost words that have been omitted from history.

The Sydney Theatre Company’s production of “The Dictionary of Lost Words” is a clever adaptation of the book and a moving reflection on the love between a daughter and her father, a time when the women’s suffrage movement gained momentum, the horror of the First World War, and the importance of words beyond their dictionary meaning. This is an unmissable and unforgettable night at the theatre.

If you loved the book, you’ll love this production. If you haven’t read the book, see the play anyway as there remain a few surprises within the words of the book to make it a special read.

Tickets can be purchased here .

Where: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
When: 26 October to 16 December 2023
More information: Sydney Theatre Company Website


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