Founding Play School presenter Donald Macdonald remembered as gentle, generous and prolific

Australia Broadcast Center

5 days ago

Donald Macdonald was many things over his 80+ years, bringing his infectious energy to both screen and stage around Australia and the world.
When he died on the Gold Coast in June, Donald was remembered for a particularly important career achievement: he was one of the original presenters on Play School. But this was just the first chapter in a theatrical career that spanned the next 60 years.
As said on ABC Kids' social media, his role helped to "shape the foundations of what Play School has become today".
"His gentle spirit and playful storytelling made countless children feel seen, heard and encouraged to imagine."
But he was also one of Australia's most prolific theatre talents, widely acclaimed for his extraordinary vocal coaching, directorial expertise, and his calm and generous spirit.
Donald's father "Mac" Macdonald served in World War II but died of war wounds shortly thereafter.
Donald, born in Sydney in 1938, was too young to remember his father and was an only child, raised by his mother.
After completing school, Donald began his acting career at Sydney's famous Music Hall, performing in East Lynne and Lady Audley's Secret, among others.
The first episode of Play School was on July 18, 1966.
Among a cast of former school teachers and Australian actors, Donald helped shepherd the show into the country's hearts with his friendly manner, wonderful clear voice and comic timing.
His instinct for comedy was to prove vital as his career blossomed in future decades.
In 1968, Donald starred in the ABC's I Married a Bachelor, where he played Mervyn MacGregor — the show won the Logie for Best Comedy that year.
For the ABC, Donald also starred in The Box and Come in Spinner, as well as Is Australia Really Necessary, alongside the legendary Miriam Karlin.
On stage, he starred in A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down.
Later, Donald appeared in the ABC's Backberner and the films Black and White, Superman Returns and Kenny.
Donald also had guest roles in dozens of other shows including Kingswood Country, Cop Shop, A Country Practice, Rafferty's Rules, Heroes II, GP, Jag, and Rake.
Donald performed innumerable roles with the Sydney and Queensland theatre companies, as well as appearing in the musicals Camelot and McKillop.
After establishing his career in Sydney, Donald moved to the UK, making his West End debut in Sons of Cain, before first appearing on UK television in Colditz.
An award-winning screenwriter, novelist, and author, Donald wrote one of Australia's most successful stage comedies, Caravan (1983).
The show originally delighted audiences at the Sydney Opera House for The Ensemble Theatre, and then it went to London, where Donald also starred in the cast.
A story of three couples on holiday together in NSW, Caravan is still regularly performed to this day.
Donald also wrote several other plays, including Hot Taps, Giuseppe, Saints Alive, Seasons, Boulevard Play, Truth, and The Italian Classic.
His novel, With a Wise Man, was published by Pan Macmillan Australia.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Donald explored various eastern and western spiritualities.
Following a long period of discernment, he ultimately converted to Catholicism, and later became an enthusiastic proponent of Christian meditation.
After spending time in meditation and prayer, Donald learned the entire gospel off by heart and developed his one-man play, The Gospel According to St John, where he brought the story to life in a captivating 90-minute production.
Over the next 25 years, Donald performed The Gospel of St John across Australia and overseas, including at the Edinburgh Festival, in London, and New York.
In 2002, Donald became principal theatrical director with Artes Christi, where, over the next two decades, he directed multiple productions including A Man for All Seasons (2002 and 2011), Murder in the Cathedral (2005 and 2018), Shadowlands, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Jeweller's Shop, and his own play, Saints Alive.
Donald enjoyed a legendary reputation among the actors he directed — many spoke of being profoundly uplifted in their work by him.
Donald would famously instruct his casts: "Use the words — it's all there. It's in the words."
A strong supporter of Australian veterans, Donald became artistic adviser to The Australian Remembrance Foundation, and in 2021 performed in the original Anzac Sunset Tribute alongside Christine Anu, Judy Nunn, and Bruce Venables.
One of Donald's final successes was writing Letter to Larry: A play based on the life of Vivien Leigh, which has been staged in London and Paris to rave reviews.
The play has had three successful West End runs, with a feature film also in planning.
Donald was prolific until his final weeks, continuing to write and develop multiple works while suffering from cancer.
Donald was the greatest artistic influence of my life, an extraordinary person whom I had the deep honour to work with for more than two decades.
He will be sorely missed by his family, hundreds of artists, and thousands of audience members across Australia and overseas.
Anthony McCarthy worked with Donald Macdonald on more than a dozen productions and is now the artistic director & CEO of The Australian Remembrance Foundation.