There's more magic in store this festive season as a new production comes to the Dublin stage. We go behind the scenes of Toy Show The Musical.
Where?
The Convention Centre, Dublin
When?
From 10 December
Tickets: From €25, more details at www.rte.ie/toyshowthemusical
What's it about?
The brainchild of two Late Late Show producers - Jane Murphy and Katherine Drohan - Toy Show The Musical turns The Toy Show on its head, making the family sofa the focus of attention as a young girl called Nell watches Ryan Tubridy and co with her family.
"We're not replicating the television show, we're celebrating the tradition of that television show," says director Séimí Campbell, a West End veteran.
"We are going to look at this little kid, Nell, and how she handles her situation in and around Toy Show night and her interactions with The Toy Show," continues Jane Murphy.
"Nell was kind of born out of Toy Show kids and their stories over the years - she is a really beautiful, brave, cheeky and engaging little girl," adds Katherine Drohan.
Who's in it?
After a nationwide call, Ceola Dunne from Co Meath, Clare Keely from Co Armagh and Doireann McNally from Dundalk have been cast as lead character Nell.
"These young girls are extraordinary; they each embody Nell's character from head to toe. It's honestly like they were born to play this role. Singing, acting, dancing, and acting the maggot... all at once!" say Katherine Drohan and Jane Murphy.
"It was really important to Jane and Katherine that we had a nationwide search for Nell," adds director Séimí Campbell. "Everyone owns Toy Show, and we didn't want to Dublinify it. It was certainly a lot of work for the casting teams, but it was really great. And we have three really brilliant Nells. Three very different Nells."
The three newcomers will be making taking to the stage in the best of company.
Jamie Beamish (Bridgerton, Derry Girls, Otto Bathurst's Halo, Billy The Kid) will play the role of Dad, aka Brendan Mooney, Nell's father.
Clare Barrett (Fair City, Medicine, Wild Mountain Thyme, Trad) has been cast to play Nell's Mam, Áine Mooney.
The role of Nana will be played by Anna Healy (The Spin, The Last Return, Mother’s Day and Emmerdale).
Why should you go?
"We want people who are coming from Waterford - where I'm from - from Galway, from Cork - to come in and feel they're wrapped up in Christmas," says Katherine Drohan. "And they're going to go away thinking 'That was magical!'"
"I didn't want to do the Disney version of it, where you fly in all the scenery, and it's all very jazz-handy," explains Séimí Campbell. "It's 85 minutes of having kids in an auditorium and showing them the potential of theatre."
"This is going to blow people’s minds," concludes Jane Murphy. "I don't think anyone's going to expect what we're going to roll out here. There's a massive surprise for everyone who sees it. It's extraordinary. It is absolutely a world-class production."
Toy Show The Musical runs from 10 December at The Auditorium, Convention Centre, Dublin.
