Cream of Galway’s young talent turns out for Toy Show auditions

Passion, excitement and chaos. These were the three words most used by Ryan Tubridy when describing The Late Late Toy Show which will be aired live on Friday December 1. Going into his ninth year hosting The Toy Show, Ryan has lost none of his enthusiasm and excitement for it describing the opening shot, his favourite part of the show, as “the cannonball leaving the canon”.

BY RÓISÍN MCGRATH

Fifteen acts consisting of over 60 children from Limerick, Clare, Sligo, Mayo, Donegal and Galway made their way to Galway for their chance to take part in the biggest show on Irish television last Tuesday, including Sadhbh Breathnach and Orla Kilkelly from Kinvara who said they “always watched the show and then realised we could be in it, so we applied”.

These two friends who play fiddle together were a living example of the excitement that Ryan spoke about, hardly being able to contain themselves.

Other musicians from Galway applying were Robbie Monaghan and Eoin Hardiman who play guitar and were enjoying their time in the limelight as the cameramen followed them, preparing for their audition. They were entered by Robbie’s mum as they had always shown an interest in performing and the boys were “hoping to be spotted”.

Ryan Tubridy explained how The Toy Show was “looking for passion and for people to come in and have fun” and for those coming in to “lighten up, loosen up and let go” which is what The Toy Show is all about.

When asked about the show’s growing popularity Ryan responded “in every human being resides a child and for one night only, people get to embrace happiness and innocence – and cynicism dies”.

Last year, over 1.57 million people watched the show in over 102 countries and 140,000 people applied to be in the 204-person audience. These tickets can be applied for online and are issued in a random lottery.

As The Late Late Toy Show gets ever nearer, the build-up intensifies. Ryan compared the atmosphere at rehearsals to “that feeling when you’re seven and you go the Christmas tree on Christmas morning to see if Santa has delivered the presents. Multiplied by ten”. His own enthusiasm was infectious, meeting the children, engaging with each of them and dancing along to their performances. The show and its preparation have allowed him to “embrace happiness and innocence” which in turn helps the children to feel more at ease.

“For years children were seen and not heard, now they’re front and centre and I love that,” said Ryan on how children’s confidence has improved and the standard of talent on the show has risen over the years.

“I think what’s happened is because of iPhones, they’re more used to cameras and less reluctant to be on front of them and to perform.” This was also a point made by Orla Kilkelly who said the experience had given her “more confidence”.

Everyone who has watched The Late Late Toy Show has a favourite part. For Ryan and lots others it’s “the big goofy number at the beginning, singing and dancing and causing mayhem”. For others it’s the performances, the toy demonstrations, the book reviews or the final music number.

“It’s very rarely about the toys; it’s about the children,” said Ryan, recalling his favourite moments on the show.

“I always think of John Joe and his clocks, the little boy who wanted to be a horologist and when Amy Keogh met Ed Sheeran and nearly fell off her perch, these lovely moments that you can’t plan – it’s like sending a car down a hill with the brakes cut.”