TV SERIES In Production

Play Away

Name: Play Away
Released: 1971-11-25
Cast: Brian Cant

Premiered 1971-11-25 14 seasons 16 eps

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. While Play School had a more gentle, intimate feel, featuring just two presenters in a studio with the usual collection of toys, Play Away was much more lively, including songs, games and many jokes. The first eight series were shot in a studio, usually at BBC Television Centre, London, although certain episodes were recorded in Bristol or Manchester. Later episodes were recorded in front of a live studio audience. 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.

Last Episode Aired 1984-01-28

S13E10 — Episode 10

Here's something you don't see every day. In fact, it could be that we're very fortunate to see this at all, thanks to the infinite wisdom of the Beeb and their cost-cutting. But before we get to that, this is Play Away, starring Brian Cant and Floella Benjamin, and co-starring (in this particular instance) Delia Morgan and Keith Woodhams. References to the likes of Fame and The Thompson Twins definitely date this one, so I don't know what kids today will make of it, but if nothing else I found it to be very, very good fun. Better than I was expecting, which is a rare thing in the nostalgia business. What say you? After a bit of sleuthing at genome.ch.bbc.co.uk, I reckon that this could be the episode of Play Away broadcast on Saturday, 28th January, 1984 - at least, that's the only one I could find which lists exactly the right combination of presenters. If that is indeed the case (and please do correct me if I'm wrong), then according to this site, we're watching a lost episode:

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