The Reunion - Play School

In the final programme of the latest BBC Radio 4 series of The Reunion, Sue MacGregor reunites people involved with classic children's TV programme Play School, which ran from 1964 to 1988. Devised by Joy Whitby, former producer of the Listen with Mother slot on BBC Radio, the programme was a direct response to concerns about the perceived poor standard of British pre-school education. Play School was ground-breaking in more ways than one as it accidentally became the first programme to be shown on BBC 2 after a power cut halted the opening night's programming. Its enthusiastic presenters came from diverse backgrounds and became household names with the iconic three shaped windows, clock and toys to form an integral part of many early childhoods. Sue is joined around the table by Joy Whitby, presenters Floella Benjamin, Brian Cant, who also fronted spin-off series Play Away, and Toni Arthur and musical director/pianist Jonathan Cohen. The programme also features contributions from Johnny Ball and Play School historian Paul R. Jackson. Producer: Chris Green A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4.