Play Away facts for kids

Play Away was a popular British television show for children. It was like a big brother or sister to the younger kids' show, Play School. Play Away was made for children a bit older, usually between 12 and 15 years old.

What Was Play Away?

The show ran for many years, from 1971 until 1984. You could watch it on Saturday afternoons on BBC 2. While Play School was calm and quiet, Play Away was full of energy!

A Lively Show

Play Away was known for being very lively and fun. It had lots of songs, exciting games, and many jokes. The show felt a bit like a big stage performance or a variety show.

Early episodes were filmed in a studio, often in BBC Television Centre in London. Some were also made in Bristol or Manchester. Later on, the show was recorded in front of a live audience, which made it even more exciting!

Music was a big part of Play Away. Jonathan Cohen was the Musical Director, playing the piano. He was joined by Spike Heatley on double bass and Alan Rushton on drums. Sometimes, special guest musicians, like trombonist George Chisholm, would also play.

Who Was On The Show?

Many familiar faces from Play School also appeared on Play Away. These included presenters like Brian Cant, Toni Arthur, Derek Griffiths, and Floella Benjamin. Other presenters were Johnny Ball, Carol Chell, and Julie Stevens.

Play Away also featured some people who later became very famous. Can you believe that future stars like Jeremy Irons, Anita Dobson, and Tony Robinson were once on the show?

Missing Episodes

Sadly, not all episodes of Play Away still exist today. Out of 191 episodes that were made, 132 are now missing. This means that many of the fun moments from the show can no longer be watched.