Play Away was a very entertaining Saturday afternoon show for younger viewers that was a mix of sketches, songs, games and stories all performed in front of a studio audience.
What made Play Away a cut above was the excellence of the performers who included such TV stalwarts as Brian Cant, Toni Arthur, Johnny Ball, Derek Griffiths and Floella Benjamin as well as actors such as Julie Covington, Jeremy Irons, Tony Robinson, Anita Dobson and Nerys Hughes. All of whom seemed to be having plenty of fun. Jeremy Irons even contributed quite a few original songs.
Jonathan Cohen and the Play Away band provided the music and the catchy theme tune (‘It really doesn’t matter if it’s raining or it’s fine. Just as long as you’ve got time to P-L-A-Y Play, Play Away’.) was by Lionel Morton.
The series, which was broadcast on BBC Two, aired from 20 November 1971 to 1984. It notched up 192 episodes (most of which have been sadly wiped). Producers were Ann Reay, Cynthia Felgate, John Smith, Anne Gobey.
