Just Justine

Justine means upright or just and the attributes suit Justine well. For the upright part Justine will be bringing her ‘pop up tour’ to Tasmania this July.

Justine Clarke says she hasn’t been to Tasmania for about three years but wish she could visit more often. Its a question of logistics for the most part and she is eager to tell promoters she wouldn’t mind some more Tassie visits. Unfortunately being on tour means a full day of work, with arrival and preparation time factored in there isn’t much left for anything else, but Justine is hoping to have a weekend away to Tasmania with her husband at the end of the year and hopefully include a visit to Mona.

Its hard to believe Justine Clarke has been a regular on Playschool for 13 years but the fresh faced actor singer and TV presenter loves her role in educating children, she especially loves seeing the tangible joy on children’s faces at live performances and is very proud her children’s album is being used as an educational tool and is considered an early canon for kindergartens and childcare centres.

Justine has the honour, along with fellow presenter Jay Laga’aia, of recording a new version of Playschool’s famous title song. Justine explains that the first version of the song was very percussive, the second a gentler version with the animation of four toys skipping off holding hands. Justine calls the new version a modern rousing epic!

Justine says she enjoys putting her finger in many pies and at the moment the presenter is enjoying live shows on tour and has also debuted in a new drama series on ABC called ‘Time of our Lives’.

How did Justine feels about her character Roo in Home and Away being recast? Well,Justine has moved on from those days, she does admit to feeling shocked initially as like all good actress she felt an ownership of that character. With Georgie Paker being a close friend Justine shows her justness in being happy with how things have worked out.

I ask Justine who her favourite Playschool toy is, and again she is very ‘just’ and very diplomatic, saying if she chooses one it might anger the others. She does admit that Big Ted is the cuddliest and Jemima the most professional with Humpty Dumpty rounding out (pardon the pun) things with being the funniest.

You can see Justine when she brings her ‘Pop up tour’ to Tasmania:

Hobart Theatre Royal Saturday July 20 show times: 10am show – sold out!
12pm – 2nd show! www.theatreroyal.com.au
Paula Xiberras