Cavan kids set for Toy Show appearance
Fifteen pupils at the Performance Academy Cavan are over the moon this week after learning that their act has been selected to perform on RTÉ’s Late Late Toy Show, 2015.
Performing big production number 'When I Grow Up’ from the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s book, Matilda, the group are now preparing for their Montrose début under the careful tutelage of academy directors, Joan Barry Kenny and daughter Victoria Kenny.
Established in 2011, Joan described to The Anglo-Celt what an honour it is to see the students chosen from the hotly-contested audition process and she paid firm tribute to their talent and dedication.
“For the school to be at such an early stage, it’s a huge achievement, both for the children and ourselves to have them appearing on what is, annually, one of the biggest national family entertainment shows,” she said.
“But we tell the kids time and time again - hard work pays off! It’s a life lesson, they have the talent and they’re now seeing how their hard work is paying off.”
Of three submissions sent to Toy Show producers, picked by Joan and Victoria from the Academy’s annual talent showcase at Ballinagh Community Hall, two were recalled for live auditions in Sligo earlier this year, with one then whittled out for the final broadcast. The performers include: Niamh Caffrey, Lucy Clarke, Sadhbh Daly, Orna Rose, Aoife Spratt, Derbhla Brady, Aoibhinn Morrison, Robyn Prior, Shauna Cusack, Enya O’Rourke, Ferne Dolan, Ellie Brady, Kate Lynch, Elisha Galligan, and Katelyn Dowd.
Maurice Brady’s of Cavan Town are to provide the uniform costumes for the show and the young girls are now busy with three rehearsals a week at their Dublin Road studio before filming with presenter Ryan Tubridy when Toy Show filming takes place on November 27 next.
Panto success
There was further success too for Performance Academy Cavan when three of the school’s students were selected to take part in the Olympia’s Christmas Panto 'FREEZIN’- story of the Snow Queen, starring Ireland’s funniest dame, Al Porter.
Derbhla Brady, Aoife Spratt, and Michael Bunda were plucked from over 3,000 applicants for the famous annual stage-show, which runs from Friday, December 18, to Sunday, January 10, 2016.
“Its great for Cavan and we just know all the kids will do themselves and everyone in Cavan proud,” says Victoria.