FIFTY NOT OUT

[Jeff Thorpe]

FIFTY NOT OUT

Another Aussie icon’s reached half a ton not out,
along the way delighting generations,
earned its place on history, of that there is no doubt,
time to offer firm congratulations.

What IS this profound figure that’s in the spotlight glare,
recipient of swarms of accolades,
perhaps five words, “There’s a bear in there”
give clues to entertainment for tots for five decades.

“There’s a bear in there, and a chair as well,
there are people with games, and stories to tell,
open wide, come inside, it’s Play School.

Yes, Play School’s turning fifty and still going strong,
eighty percent of pre schoolers watch minimum once a week,
to many harried parents, this show can do no wrong,
keeping toddlers occupied with tried and true technique.

Big Ted and Jemima have adventures every day
with Humpty, Little Ted and Diddle the cat,
Maurice and Fergus frog often join in the play
and to the rapt audience, fun and games are “where it’s at”.

Presenters tell stories and sing and dance as well
with all the toy characters joining in,
the Hickory Dickory clock tells the time for clientele
and the Play School windows reveal more fun within.

A swag of acting talent has graced the Play School stage,
Noni Hazlehurst and John Waters long time hosts,
regulars Rhys Muldoon and Justine Clarke with the toys engage
plus, on many others resumes, time with Play School boasts.

Play School was inducted in the Logies Hall of Fame
justly recognised in two thousand and six,
possibly more deserving than others in that frame,
a choice that would, I’d wager, be one without conflicts.

Play School would air in untold persons’ DNA,
it’s become entrenched in preschool education,
may it long continue to show tiny tots the way
and on this anniversary, receive a great ovation.

Jeff Thorpe © 28 May 2016

[alongtimegone]

Well said Jeff. How many children have delighted in its magic over the 50 years.
Wazza

[LongMan]

G'day Jeff,

Yeah it only brings a shudder...gett'n old. Play School on the ABC was not my fav show...although there was something about Mr. Squiggle...and that cranky smoky steam shovel or was that the black board. Huh...yeah how things have changed.

Thanks for posting that one m8!

PHIL.

[Wendy Seddon]

Great Poem Jeff.
I wonder though, what happened to Hambul?
My granddaughter has never heard of her.

[Shelley Hansen]

Good one Jeff - just watched the doco on ABC the other night.

I was a bit old for Play School when it started, but used to watch it secretly (shhh!) Definitely part of Aussie entertainment history!

Cheers
Shelley

[Catherine Lee]

Right now all I can think of from childhood TV is Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men and Felix the Cat, and that has GOT to date me! But I know Play School of course and in all seriousness this is a great tribute Jeff - it does indeed deserve praise at fifty not out, and let's hope it continues to be appreciated and delight children for many more years to come!

[Jeff Thorpe]

Thanks Wazza, Phil, Owly, Shelley and Catherine for your comments. Play School is an interesting topic and brought back memories of watching it with my kids when researching the poem.

Regards, Jeff