The Dictionary Of Lost Words by Pip Williams

The Dictionary Of Lost Words by Pip Williams

Based on the South Australian novel of the same name our students went to see an amazing production of The Dictionary Of Lost Words by Pip Williams and adapted for the stage by playwright Verity Laughton Motherless and ever curious, Esme spends her childhood in the Scriptorium – the “Scrippy”, a converted garden shed in Oxford where her father and a team of lexicographers guided by Dr James Murray are gathering words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. She hides beneath the sorting table and catches a word on a “slip” as it falls and soon, she finds other words that have been neglected by the men. Here begins Esme’s collection of her own: the Dictionary of Lost Words. 

As the years pass, Esme realises that little importance is placed on recording the words and meanings relating to women’s experiences and as her world expands and her circle of friends grows – actresses, suffragettes, market traders, workers, she realises the power in their silenced voices and decides to lend them hers. And on the way, she comes to understand the many meanings of the word “love”. 

Mr Tom Coultas
Drama Coordinator

Students Reflected:

“The performers were very emotional, and the storyline was very moving” Nyrony, Year 10 Student

“The play as very immersive, a lot of great acting, for a three hour play it only felt like one hour.” Michelle, Year 11 Student

“There was a lot of emotional moments in the play.” Lorraine, Year 10 Student

“It was amazing how they incorporated projections to give it a sense of place and time.” Chloe, Year 10 Student

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