Wendy Playfair

Last updated

Wendy Playfair
Born (1926-08-28) 28 August 1926 (age 99)
Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia
OccupationActress
Years activeRadio (c 1940s), theatre 1949–1960, television and film 1960-2013
Known for Prisoner as Minnie Donovan
Family Thomas Playfair
Thomas Alfred John Playfair (uncle)
Judy Playfair (cousin)
Kip Williams (grandson)
Awards Macquarie Radio Award

Wendy Playfair (born 28 August 1926) [1] is an Australian radio, television and film character actress, best known for her roles in television serials. [2]

Contents

Playfair started her career in radio serials, but became best known for her stint in TV series Prisoner as inmate Minerva 'Minnie' Donovan. [3] Other important roles were in the television series Home and Away and the 2009 film Accidents Happen starring Geena Davis. [3]

Early life

Playfair was born in Woollahra, Sydney, New South Wales to Edmund Strathmore Creer (Strath) Playfair (1894–1965) and Kathleen Ryrie (Babs) née Campbell (1899–1989). [4] She was the third of four sisters. [5] Direct descendants of famous Sydney butcher, politician and philanthropist Thomas Playfair, the family were well-to-do, socially prominent [6] and in the meat trade. [7]

While still at school, Playfair joined Bryant's Playhouse, a Little Theatre group. She went on to study with other Little Theatres after she finished school, attending drama classes at night, while working an office job during the day. As radio work picked up, she gave up her office job to focus on her acting career. [8]

Career

Playfair started her career in radio where she worked for the ABC and consistently in morning serials for Grace Gibson, as well as in many radio plays. Playfair received the radio Macquarie Award. Prior to television she had also appeared in a few stage roles, but was best known as a radio performer. [9]

She has been a staple on the small screen in character roles since 1960, when she appeared in the TV adaptation of a production of the play The Slaughter of St Theresa's Day . [10]

Playfair has primarily appeared in cameo roles, with guesting roles in series starting from the late 1960s until 2013, such as Homicide , Hunter , The Young Doctors , Return to Eden , Spirited , Rake and Packed to the Rafters .

However she has had several parts as different characters in serials A Country Practice (three roles), Home and Away (two roles) and All Saints (two roles).

She also has had parts in telemovies and films including Ride a Wild Pony (aka Harness Racing), the only Walt Disney film ever produced in Australia and a pivotal role in the film Accidents Happen , opposite Geena Davis in 2009. [3]

In 2022 Playfair gave a rare interview with the podcast series Talking Prisoner.

Personal life

Playfair married James Williams at All Saints Anglican Church, Woollahra in Sydney, on 6 July 1951. [11] On 5 July 1953, the couple had a daughter. [12]

Playfair is the cousin of Olympic silver medalilst Judy Playfair, aunt of Skye Leckie, niece of politician Thomas Alfred John Playfair, grandmother of Kip Williams who was The Artistic Director of the Sydney Theatre Company (2016–2024) and lifelong friend of Pam Hornibrook and Ruth Triggs. [13] Her youngest sister married barrister Sir John Atwill, who was President of the Liberal Party of Australia. [5]

Awards

YearWorkAwardCategoryResultRef.
1951If This Be ErrorMacquarie AwardsBest Female Supporting RoleWon [14]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleTypeRef.
1971 Three to Go Mother (Segment: "Judy")Feature film [15]
1993Terra NulliusShort film
2009 Accidents Happen Mrs. SmolenskyFeature film Australia/UK [3]
2010 The Tree Aunt HarrietFeature film

Television

YearTitleRoleTypeRef.
1960 The Slaughter of St. Teresa's Day Wilma CartwrightTV play [10]
1962The Funnel WebIrene CharltonTV movie
1965The AffairTV play
1967 Divorce Court 1 episode
1967; 1968 Homicide Ann Radford / Jennifer Chandler2 episodes
1968 Hunter Mrs. West1 episode
1973 Matlock Police Ethel Parker1 episode
1974 The Evil Touch 1 episode
Things That Go Bump in the Night Audrey1 episode
1975 Ride a Wild Pony (aka Harness Racing)Mrs. QuayleTV movie [3]
1977 Say You Want Me TV movie
1978 Bit Part EmmaTV movie [16]
Shimmering Light Gwen StuartTV movie
Father Dear Father in Australia Mrs. Town1 episode
1979 Glenview High 1 episode
1980 The Young Doctors Mrs. Steele1 episode
1981 Bellamy Milly1 episode
1982–1992 A Country Practice Lillian Palmer / Gwen Bowman / Val Jackson5 episodes
1983 Carson's Law Nola Douglas1 episode
1983–1984 Prisoner Minnie Donovan33 episodes
1984 Mother and Son 1 episode
Special Squad 1 episode
1985 Fortress Old WomanTV movie
1986 Return To Eden Rena McMaster8 episodes
1987 Willing and Abel 1 episode
1988 Swap Shop 1 episode
1990 Rafferty's Rules 1 episode
1994 Cody: Bad Love Mrs. UnwinTV movie
1997 Big Sky Mrs. TooheySeason 1, 1 episode [17]
2000; 2003 All Saints Gloria Mayberry / Hannah 'Bubba' Rosen2 episodes
2002 Don't Blame The Koalas Mrs. Smythe (voice)1 episode [18]
2005–2009 Home and Away Audrey Long / Mrs. Grey3 episodes
2010 Spirited Geisela MackenzieSeason 2, 1 episode [19]
Rake Elspeth1 episode
2011 Laid Old Lady1 episode
2013 Packed to the Rafters Moira BeckettSeason 6, 1 episode [20]
2022Talking PrisonerGuestPodcast, 1 episode [21]
House of HoraceMrs Wilson-Smith [22]

Theatre

YearTitleRoleTypeRef.
1945The Springtime of OthersBryant's Playhouse [23]
1946 Sheppey Mosman Town Hall with Mosman Theatre Guild [24]
1947To Kill a Cat [25]
The Admirable Crichton TweenyMosman Theatre Guild [26]
1949 The Blue Bird Theatre Royal Sydney with J. C. Williamson's [27]
Pirates at the Barn KathyDarlington Deaf and Dumb Institute, Sydney & Minerva Theatre, Sydney with Mosman Children's Theatre [9]
1950Before the Party St James' Hall, Sydney with John Alden Company
The Old Bachelor Lead roleMosman Town Hall [28]
The Anonymous LoverParramatta City Hall [29]
Before the Party St James' Hall, Sydney [30]
1951 Madame Louise Penny Palace Theatre, Sydney with Sir Benjamin Fuller [9] [31]
Love's a Luxury Serving maid [9]
1986Room to Move Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company [32]

Radio

YearTitleRoleTypeRef.
1949 The Apple Tree Caltex Theatre on 2GB [33]
Sense and Sensibility Elinor 2FC, BAR, 4QG [34]
1950Lady in Distress [35]
The Story of Mary LanePeggy Douglas 2KA [36]
The Middle Watch 2GB [37]
The Fire Within [38]
1950sEllen Dodd2UW [39]
1951Long Shots Don't Win [40]
If This Be ErrorNina Moore [41]
1952 The Divorce of Lady X Leslie5DN [42]
1953Snow Bound The General Motors Hour, episode 86 on 5DN [43]
1954 The Adventures of Ellery Queen Nikki Porter [44] [45]
Society Steps OutCompere 2SM [46]
1955 The Clock Jeannie ClaireEpisode 4: "The Actor" [47] [48]
HazelEpisode 10: "The Helping Hand"
1956LolaEpisode 15: "The Hitchhiker"
DorisEpisode 19: "Amazon Island"
JulietEpisode 23: "Star-Crossed Lovers"
LucyEpisode 32: "Behind the Mask"
FrancineEpisode 51: "The Angel with Two Faces"
Dangerous Assignment HildegardeEpisode 52: "Vienna" [49]
1958 The Mapmaker Ann ChappelCaltex Theatre on 2CA [50]
1960s The Big Fisherman [39]
From Paris with LoveMartine Cordier [39]
The Tilsit InheritanceGinny Tilsit [39]
1961 Cattleman [51]
Leave Her to Heaven [39]
Requiem for Paul JasonJanice Gantry [39]
The RobeDiana [39]
Starlight Theatre [47]
A Relative AffairRosemary Linton [47]
The Shame of Sefton Ridge [47]
Harvest of Hate [52]

References

  1. ↑ "Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald . 30 August 1926. p. 10. Retrieved 27 June 2014– via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ Lane, Richard (2000). The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama Volume 2. National Film and Sound Archive. pp. 70–72.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Accidents Happen". 28 April 2010.
  4. ↑ Playfair Family Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  5. 1 2 "MANY FAMILY PARTIES YESTERDAY". The Sydney Morning Herald . 26 December 1940. p. 2. Retrieved 27 June 2014– via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ "Sydney's Talking About—". The Sydney Morning Herald . 26 December 1946. p. 8. Retrieved 27 June 2014– via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ "Playfair estate to family". The Canberra Times . 26 October 1966. p. 13. Retrieved 27 June 2014– via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "Radio star combines home with career". The Sun . 11 October 1952. p. 45. Retrieved 30 January 2026– via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Wendy Playfair". AusStage.
  10. 1 2 Vagg, Stephen (19 October 2020). "Forgotten Australian TV Plays – The Slaughter of St Teresa's Day". FilmInk .
  11. ↑ "They've Set Their Wedding Dates". The Sunday Herald . Sydney. 27 May 1951. p. 18. Retrieved 27 June 2014– via National Library of Australia.
  12. ↑ "People, Parties and Plans". The Sun . 7 July 1953. p. 21. Retrieved 30 January 2026– via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  13. ↑ Family Matters by Evan Williams Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  14. ↑ "Radio Acting Awards". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate via National Film and Sound Archive / Trove . 11 February 1952. p. 2. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  15. ↑ "Three to Go". National Film and Sound Archive . Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  16. ↑ "Bit Part 1978". Screen Australia . Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  17. ↑ "Big Sky: episode guide". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  18. ↑ "Don't Blame The Koalas: episode guide". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  19. ↑ "Spirited: episode guide". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  20. ↑ "Packed to the Rafters: episode guide". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  21. ↑ "Talking Prisoner Cell Block H EP 43 Interview with Wendy Playfair Inmate Minnie Donovan". YouTube . 9 June 2022.
  22. ↑ "House of Horace". www.susannabonaretti.com. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  23. ↑ "The Springtime of Others". The Sydney Morning Herald via National Library of Australia / Trove . 9 July 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  24. ↑ "Maugham Play Needs – Snap". The Sydney Morning Herald via National Library of Australia / Trove . 7 June 1946. p. 5. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  25. ↑ "Stage Players Relax". Daily Mirror via National Library of Australia / Trove . 4 November 1947. p. 6. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  26. ↑ "Mosman Guild Does Well By "Crichton"". The Sydney Morning Herald via National Library of Australia / Trove . 27 March 1947. p. 7. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  27. ↑ "Play at Theatre Royal". The Sydney Morning Herald via National Library of Australia / Trove . 31 March 1949. p. 11. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  28. ↑ "I'm Told That". Daily Mirror via National Library of Australia / Trove . 23 February 1950. p. 22. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  29. ↑ "First Night at Parramatta". The Cumberland Argus via National Library of Australia / Trove . 5 July 1950. p. 10. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  30. ↑ "Maugham Satire in Play". The Daily Telegraph via National Library of Australia / Trove . 1 December 1950. p. 14. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  31. ↑ "'Madam Louise' Presented as Farce Comedy". Daily Mirror via National Library of Australia / Trove . 5 September 1950. p. 6. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  32. ↑ "Wendy Playfair" (PDF). Trust News Vol.10 No.3. Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust. April 1986. p. 2. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  33. ↑ "Commercial Radio Plays of the Week". ABC Weekly Vol. 11 No. 44 via National Library of Australia / Trove . 29 October 1949. p. 45. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  34. ↑ "The Week's Plays over the A.B.C." ABC Weekly Vol. 11 No. 50 via National Library of Australia / Trove . 10 December 1949. p. 26. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  35. ↑ "Lady in Distress". National Film and Sound Archive . Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  36. ↑ "Lady in Distress". The Blue Mountains Advertiser via National Film and Sound Archive . 10 August 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  37. ↑ "Plays Today and Tonight". The Daily Telegraph via National Library of Australia / Trove . 25 December 1950. p. 8. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  38. ↑ "Today's Radio Highlights". Truth (Sydney) via National Library of Australia / Trove . 2 April 1950. p. 33. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Australian Radio Series (1930s–1970s)" (PDF). National Film and Sound Archive . Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  40. ↑ "Theatre of Thrills: Long Shots Don't Win". ABC Weekly Vol. 13 No. 46 via National Library of Australia / Trove . 17 November 1951. p. 13. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  41. ↑ "1951 Radio Oscars Awarded". The News (Adelaide) via National Library of Australia / Trove . 11 February 1952. p. 21. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  42. ↑ "Radio Round-up". The Mail (Adelaide) via National Library of Australia / Trove . 8 March 1952. p. 28. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  43. ↑ "Snow bound (Radio play) [sound recording] / by Dianah Maughan; produced by Harry Dearth". www.researchworks.oclc.org. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  44. ↑ "EQ: Radio". www.elleryqueen.us. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  45. ↑ "Rod Taylor's Radio Roles". www.rodtaylorsite.com. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  46. ↑ "Women's Interests On The Air A.B.C. 'Jack of all Trades'". The Sydney Morning Herald via National Library of Australia / Trove . 13 April 1954. p. 23. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  47. 1 2 3 4 "More Outstanding Radio Drama on CD". www.dailynightly.co.uk. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  48. ↑ "The Clock". www.australianotr.com.au. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  49. ↑ "Dangerous Assignment". www.australianotr.com.au. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  50. ↑ "Caltex Theatre Play: Matthew Flinders Story". The Queanbeyan Age via National Library of Australia / Trove . 25 January 1958. p. 2. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  51. ↑ "Cattleman". www.gracegibsonradio.com. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  52. ↑ "Harvest of Hate". www.gracegibsonradio.com. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.