The Malinauskas Labor Government is delighted to celebrate the remarkable success of the stage production of The Dictionary of Lost Words.
It was adapted by South Australian playwright Verity Laughton from South Australian novelist Pip Williams’ award-winning and bestselling book and has become the highest selling Dunstan Playhouse production in State Theatre Company South Australia’s 50-year history.
The production, starring Tilda Cobham-Hervey, enjoyed a completely sold-out season in September and October 2023, becoming State Theatre Company South Australia’s highest selling Dunstan Playhouse show ever and one of the best attended shows on record at the theatre, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2024.
Generating more than $950,000 at the box office, The Dictionary of Lost Words attracted 14,219 people over its three-week season and sold out all available seats before its first preview. Restricted view seats were made available after opening, which then also sold out.
The show has also completely sold out its Sydney season at the Sydney Opera House where it is currently being presented by the show’s co-producers, Sydney Theatre Company. It will play at Arts Centre Melbourne in February 2024.
The Dictionary of Lost Words enjoyed not only unprecedented box office success but universal critical acclaim: “a must-see” (The Advertiser), “a real work of art” (Glam Adelaide), “an overwhelming success” (Theatre Travels), “an artistic masterpiece” (Time Out) and “exhilarating” (Sydney Morning Herald).
The Dictionary of Lost Words caps off a phenomenally successful year for State Theatre Company South Australia, which enjoyed increased subscriptions and its most extensive year of national and international touring, with multiple shows often playing around the country and the world at the same time.
In addition to The Dictionary of Lost Words, these STCSA productions/co-productions were on tour in 2023 following their Adelaide seasons:
The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia? (Sydney), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill (Sydney and Melbourne), Euphoria (multiple regional Australian venues), The Boy Who Talked to Dogs (Dublin) and Girls & Boys (Hobart and the Sydney Festival, where it was named by the Sydney Morning Herald as “the triumph of the Festival”).
Quotes
Attributable to Andrea Michaels
The Dictionary of Lost Words is a truly remarkable production and now holds the record of State Theatre’s highest selling show in 50 years at Dunstan Playhouse and the first to ever sell out before it had even opened.
It speaks to the remarkable artistic and creative talent we have in our state when our best performing production is one created by a South Australian playwright, based on a novel by a South Australian author and stars a South Australian actress.
Congratulations to State Theatre Company South Australia and everyone involved in bringing the Dictionary of Lost Words to the stage.
Attributable to Artistic Director Mitchell Butel
Despite post-pandemic challenges, the great ingenuity, talent and work ethic of the incredible staff and artists working on our productions this year ensured that some of our biggest and most appreciative audiences ever got to witness and delight in a grand season of phenomenal and transformative productions, both in South Australia and around the country.
And at the heart of that season were South Australian voices telling new South Australian stories. We couldn’t be prouder.
Attributable to CEO and Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival Centre Douglas Gautier
It’s a thrill to announce these record attendance numbers for The Dictionary of Lost Words, particularly as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Dunstan Playhouse in 2024.
