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)

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

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
The Neighborhood
Running

The Neighborhood

The Neighborhood telling about what happens when the friendliest guy in the Midwest moves his family to a neighborhood in Los Angeles where not everyone looks like him or appreciates his extreme neighborliness. When Dave Johnson and his family arrive from Michigan, they're unfazed that their new dream home is located in a community quite different from their small town. However, their opinionated next-door neighbor, Calvin Butler, is wary of the newcomers, certain that they'll disrupt the culture on the block. Dave realizes that fitting into their new community is more complex than he expected, but if he can find a way to connect with Calvin, they have an excellent chance of making their new neighborhood their home.

Only Murders in the Building
Running

Only Murders in the Building

Only Murders in the Building follows three New Yorkers who find they have a mutual interest in solving true crime – but limit their amateur sleuthing to only murders in their building.

Doc
Running

Doc

Doc centers on the hard-charging, brilliant Dr. Amy Larsen, Chief of Internal and Family Medicine at Westside Hospital in Minneapolis. After a brain injury erases the last eight years of her life, Amy must navigate an unfamiliar world where she has no recollection of patients she's treated, colleagues she's crossed, the soulmate she divorced, the man she now loves and the tragedy that caused her to push everyone away. She can rely only on her estranged 17-year-old daughter, whom she remembers as a 9-year-old, and a handful of devoted friends, as she struggles to continue practicing medicine, despite having lost nearly a decade of knowledge and experience.

Suits LA
Running

Suits LA

In Suits LA,Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor from New York, has reinvented himself representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles. His firm is at a crisis point, and in order to survive he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career. Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can't help but mix their personal and professional lives. All of this is going on while events from years ago slowly unravel that led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.

GenreDrama, Legal
School Spirits
Running

School Spirits

When Maddie finds herself trapped in afterlife limbo at her high school, she decides to investigate her own mysterious disappearance.