Christmas is coming as auditions for Late Late Toy Show begin in Cork
There were a few give-aways, not least the various musical troupes all kitted out, waiting their turn to audition for The Late Late Toy Show — the traditional starting gun for the festive period. And in the midst of it all, a self-confessed “big kid”, host Ryan Tubridy.
He was in town for the first of the scheduled auditions, with more in Galway and Dundalk to come.
“The vibes are particularly strong,” he said, referring to the “incomparable company” of talented children who have already made it this far, a step away from the biggest TV night of the year.
First up were almost two dozen children from the Cada Performing Arts group from nearby Pine St, singing a medley from The Sound of Music, resplendent in their costumes.
Did it go well? “Yeah!” they chimed in response. Do they love the Toy Show? “Yeah!”
Mia Morrissey, 5, and her sister Grace, 3, came along for support. What do they want to be when they grow up? “I want to be famous,” tooted Mia. “On Broadway!”
And why not? By the time Ryan rocked up, the Bodhrán Bookills from St Joseph’s NS were shaking the pavement with their enjoyable racket. Adam O’Leary from Wilton said: “It would mean everything to me to get on the Toy Show. I’ve been watching it since I was a small kid. We did our own pieces and made up the songs ourselves.”
Ryan was suitably impressed. “I’m exhausted and I’ve only just arrived.”
Within minutes, the strings of the boys and girls from Killeagh/Castlemartyr were on hand to restore calm. Violinist Christian Smith’s tooth was wobbling — and then it fell out. Who knows, you might be seeing that gap-toothed smile on the telly shortly.
Inside the Imperial Hotel, Ryan said the Toy Show — set to have its biggest ever opening this year — has now reached “cancel everything” status, a haven for mischief and messers and fun. “I feel like Santa’s Ambassador,” he said with a grin.
Ryan wasn’t spilling the beans as to this year’s theme, however, but admitted it is based on a film. “It is a tremendous movie that can be and will be breathtaking.”
And do you know what? Even if he’d told us, we wouldn’t tell you. Sure where’s the magic and surprise in that? You’ll have to wait until December 2 to find out.
March date for Tubridy’s JFK book
Ryan Tubridy’s first children’s book will be published next March, the broadcaster has confirmed.
Patrick and the President tells the story of former US President John F Kennedy’s visit to Ireland through the eyes of children who witnessed it, interviewed by Tubridy decades later for the project.
Published by Walker Books and illustrated by PJ Lynch, it also features a pictorial cameo by the author in the role of a journalist following JFK’s progress.
“The book is ready to go in March, which is the centenary of the birth of John F Kennedy, and we will be doing some publicity for that in the States and here, of course,” he said.
The Late Late Show presenter spoke about his latest project while in Cork for auditions for the Toy Show, and when the subject veered to the current presidential race and what JFK might have thought of it all, he said: “I think he would be appalled by one [candidate] and encouraging of another.”
He admitted to being fascinated, but fearful about the US election process: “Sometimes I watch and I see what this guy is coming out with and I think, ‘how did it come to this?’”
“Hopefully the Americans will do the right thing, which I think they will, and the world will be in balance again.”
