Encore: Australia's TV mum Noni Hazlehurst on her life on stage and screen
6/2/202652 min
The much loved actor has been on Australian TV screens and theatres for nearly 50 years. (R)
Noni Hazlehurst comes from a long line of performers, her parents met while they were part of a touring Variety act in the UK, and her great grandfather was a famous child trapeze artist.
Keeping children company on Playschool was one of her best known roles, which she had for 24 years.
In Noni’s day, Playschool was recorded in one take, unless one of the presenters swore or was bitten by a rabbit.
Further information
Noni's memoir Dropping the Mask is published by HarperCollins.
This episode of Conversations was first broadcast in 2024.
It explores acting, theatre, television, marriage, divorce, publicity, children's television, Playschool, Better Homes and Gardens, performing, family, renovations, privacy, legacy. audience, Logie awards.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsAnnabel Crabb0:00
Why do humans hold on to stuff? Oddments we don't use, and yet can't quite throw out. It's not just you and me. Australia's oldest library is crammed with stuff that isn't books. Terrible paintings, old menus, human hair. Is this history or hoarding? I'm Annabel Crabb. Come and have a rummage through the story of us, told by our stuff. Search for the History or Hoarding podcast on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.
Noni Hazlehurst· Guest0:28
[upbeat music] ABC Listen. Podcasts, radio, news, music and more.
Sarah Kanowski· Host0:35
Noni Hazlehurst comes from a long line of entertainers, men and women who could sing and dance and loved to put on a show. Noni has that in spades. Look at her 24 years as a host of Play School. But her career is even more distinguished by a desire to be part of projects that really matter. See again Noni's 24 years as a host of Play School. Noni has won four AFI Awards, including Best Actress for the adaptation of Helen Garner's novel, Monkey Grip. Other films include Little Fish with Cate Blanchett and Candy with Heath Ledger. And in 2016, Noni was only the second woman to be inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame. Her TV credits include Nancy Wake, The Shirely, A Place to Call Home, and a long-running stint as the