Alister Smart

Smart started his career in local theatre in 1957, and continued working in stage drama throughout his life. His theatre roles include Shakespeare's Macbeth and King Henry V and a tour of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? [7]

He began his television career in England in the early 1960s, appearing in televised plays. He performed in anthology series including ITV Play of the Week and Comedy Playhouse, as well as serials like Emergency Ward 10. In the latter part of the 60s, he returned to Australia, [2] where he appeared in guest roles in soap operas and made-for-television movies, including You Can't See 'round Corners, Homicide. Division 4, The Sullivans and Cop Shop. Although not a staple of the regular Number 96 television series, Smart had a prominent role as journalist Duncan Hunter in the film version.[8]

Smart pursued a directing career in both movies and TV series from the early 1970s until he retired in 1994. His directorial work includes Scattergood: Friend of All, Sons and Daughters, Richmond Hill, Prisoner and Blue Heelers.[9][10][11]

Smart is recognized as a former presenter on the long-running children's TV program Play School, the Australian version of which was adapted from the original British version of the same title. Smart's first appearance was in the first episode in 1966, and he remained in that role for 27 years until retiring in 1993. He hosted alongside other original cast including Diane Dorgan (1966), Donald Mcdonald, Kerry Francis, Anne Haddy (1966-1969) and Lorraine Bayly (1966-1978).[6]