The Dictionary of Lost Words is set to make its Queensland debut at QPAC
If you haven’t yet read The Dictionary of Lost Words, chances are you’ve at least heard of it. Pip Williams’ award-winning, best-selling novel has captivated readers worldwide (appearing on the New York Times Best Seller list and in Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club), with its whimsical and poignant tale leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. Soon, audiences will have the chance to experience this remarkable story brought to life on stage, when QPAC presents the Queensland debut of its critically acclaimed adaptation.
After captivating audiences in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, the Australian stage adaptation of The Dictionary of Lost Words is headed for Queensland. Taking over QPAC’s Playhouse from April 26 to May 10, Brisbane audiences will soon have the opportunity to see Pip Williams’ beloved tale come to life on stage, offering a new way to experience the story that has enchanted readers across the globe.
The Dictionary of Lost Words follows the journey of Esme Nicoll, a young girl growing up in the late 1800s. Raised by her father, a lexicographer working on the very first Oxford English Dictionary, Esme spends her early years in the Scriptorium, hiding beneath the sorting table while her father and his male colleagues decide which words should stay, and which should go. She begins to collect the discarded words to create her own, far more magical, collection – The Dictionary of Lost Words.
As Esme grows from a young girl into a woman she continues to build her dictionary, learning along the way that many of the neglected words reflect the experiences of women and working-class people – and that words often considered to be less valuable can be the most meaningful. Her quest to preserve these ‘lost words’ forms the heart of the story, set against the backdrop of the women’s suffrage movement and the beginning of the First World War.
Adapted by acclaimed Australian playwright Verity Laughton in 2023, the production has received five-star reviews across the country. Now, State Theatre Company South Australia (STCSA) and Sydney Theatre Company (STC) are bringing the show back for a national tour, including its Queensland debut presented with QPAC. STC Artistic Director Mitchell Butel expressed their excitement, saying, “we are thrilled Brisbane audiences will get to revel in this brilliant, witty and truly affecting production, following the avalanche of five-star reviews and full houses for the initial Adelaide and Sydney seasons of this incredible story and play.”
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The production features a stellar cast, including Shannen Alyce Quan (SIX the Musical) as Esme, alongside Arkia Ashraf (Wolf Like Me), Angela Nica Sullen (The Fall Guy), and returning original cast members Rachel Burke (Jasper Jones) and Ksenja Logos (Gaslight) playing multiple key roles. Directed by Jessica Arthur, the show boasts an ambitious two-storey set and stunning visuals by award-winning designer Jonathon Oxlade, transporting audiences into the complex world of the Scriptorium and beyond.
The Dictionary of Lost Words’ Queensland debut is part of QPAC’s 40th anniversary celebrations, marking a significant milestone in the performing arts centre’s commitment to bringing groundbreaking productions to Brisbane. Tickets are now on sale with the season expected to sell out fast, following the production’s widespread success across Australia. To book tickets, visit the QPAC website.
This article was created in partnership with our friends at QPAC.
Image credit: Sam Roberts, featuring 2023 cast