Play Away

Play Away (1971-1984)

EndedScripted showChildren

Play Away is a British television children's programme. A sister programme to the infants' series Play School, it was aimed at slightly older children.

It ran from 1971 until 1984, and was broadcast on Saturday afternoons on BBC 2.

The format was a little like a music-hall variety show or 'end-of-the-pier' show. The Musical Director was Jonathan Cohen on piano, with Spike Heatley on double bass and Alan Rushton on drums, often with accomplished guest musicians such as trombonist George Chisholm.

Regular 'Players' throughout the thirteen-year run included familiar Play School presenters such as Brian Cant, Toni Arthur, Derek Griffiths,Lionel Morton, Chloe Ashcroft, Floella Benjamin, Johnny Ball, Carol Chell and Julie Stevens.

Network
Scheduleevery Saturday (30 min)

Last Episode

Episode 10
Season 13Episode 1030 min

Episode 10

Jan 28, 1984

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S13E10Episode 10Jan 28, 1984
S13E09Episode 9Jan 21, 1984
S13E08Episode 8Jan 14, 1984
S13E07Episode 7Jan 7, 1984
S13E06Episode 6Dec 17, 1983
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Play Away premiere?

Play Away premiered on December 12, 1971.

Who were the presenters of Play Away?

Brian Cant, Toni Arthur, and Floella Benjamin were the main presenters of Play Away.

How many episodes of Play Away were produced?

There were a total of 600 episodes produced and aired over 14 years.

What type of show was Play Away?

Play Away was a children's television program that focused on educational content and entertainment.

What was the age range for the intended audience of Play Away?

The intended audience for Play Away was children aged three to seven years old.

What was the format of Play Away?

Play Away followed a magazine-style format, incorporating music, games, stories, and educational segments.

Did Play Away feature any puppets?

Yes, some of the puppets included Humpty Dumpty, Pigling Bland, and Smallfilms' characters from Bagpuss, Noggin the Nog and Ivor the Engine.

What were some of the musical segments featured on Play Away?

Musical segments included songs such as "One Finger, One Thumb," "The Hokey Cokey," and "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing."

Did Play Away include any segments about other cultures?

Yes, Play Away featured segments about different cultures, including songs and stories from around the world.

Who were some of the guest stars that appeared on Play Away?

Guest stars included major UK celebrities such as Ronnie Barker, Spike Milligan, and David Bowie.

Was Play Away set in a specific location?

No, Play Away was not set in a specific location and often used green screens for the background.

Did Play Away ever receive any awards or nominations?

Yes, Play Away won two BAFTA awards, one in 1976 for "Best Children's Programme" and another in 1978 for "Best Original Song."

Cast

Jeremy Irons

Jeremy Irons

plays himself
Anita Dobson

Anita Dobson

plays herself
Tony Robinson

Tony Robinson

plays himself
Derek Griffiths

Derek Griffiths

plays himself
Brian Cant

Brian Cant

plays himself
Johnny Ball

Johnny Ball

plays himself
Toni Arthur

Toni Arthur

plays herself
Lionel Morton

Lionel Morton

plays himself
View all cast

Characters

Player

Player

played by Jeremy Irons
Player

Player

played by Anita Dobson
Player

Player

played by Tony Robinson
Presenter

Presenter

played by Derek Griffiths
Presenter

Presenter

played by Brian Cant
Presenter

Presenter

played by Johnny Ball
Presenter

Presenter

played by Toni Arthur
Presenter

Presenter

played by Lionel Morton
View all characters

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