THE LATE LATE TOY SHOW - two local families especially looking forward to the big night

Sophie and Emma prepare for biggest TV night of the year

Every child from every school in Westmeath will be glued to The Late Late Toy Show this weekend – but for the pupils of St Joseph’s NS in Rathwire and Sonna NS, there will be an extra reason to watch, for both schools will have representatives appearing.

Eleven-year old Sophie Whelan, from Sonna NS, and 12-year-old Emma Hynes from St Joseph’s, have both received ‘the call’ that every young performer longs for, and they are both busy this week getting ready for their big appointment on what is likely – as in other years – to be RTÉ’s highest rated show of the Christmas season.

It’s a while back since the process of applying to appear on The Late Late Toy Show began – and in both cases the girls called on their fathers to help them with their applications: “My dad made a video and sent it in and then RTÉ contacted me and gave me an audition,” explains Sophie, while Emma’s story is the same.

The audition in Tullamore was actually Emma’s second attempt to get selected for The Toy show and she is looking forward to “properly” meeting Ryan Tubridy – although she has managed already to have her photo taken with the star.

“I didn’t really get to have a conversation with him – but from what I saw of him, he’s really, really nice,” she says.

Emma, who lives in Killucan, has learned her stagecraft to date from Angie Lynch and Sean Lynch at the Mullingar Stage School, which she has been attending since she was just four years old. She has always loved musical theatre, and her favourite show is ‘Wicked’.

Emma Hynes from Killucan.

“I remember going to see it when I was six, in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and I still remember every single part,” she reveals.

“We feel very lucky to be surrounded by good people who have nurtured Emma,” says her mother, Lesley, while father, Douglas, says they are both extremely proud of Emma: “She’s packed so much in for a girl of just 12 years of age,” he says.

“She’s been on stage in the arts centre numerous times; she’s after being on The Helix stage for Sean Gilligan Productions; she’s been on The Late Late Show twice and she’s recently received a High Achievers award from the Royal Irish Academy of Music.”

Also thrilled for Emma are her sisters, Ruth and Sarah.

The Late Late Show appearance comes at a busy time for the young Killucan girl as she is playing ‘Gretel’ in this year’s Mullingar pantomime, Jack and The Beanstalk.

The Toy Show date is also huge occasion for Sophie Whelan, who lives at Slanemore and who is a multi-skilled performer who has sung for her school in Scór na bPáistí, and who dances with Elevate Dance School and learns mandolin from Joe Meehan of Lir Academy of Music. Sophie’s father, Justin, is understandably proud of his daughter, saying that she is a “fantastic” singer, but that also, to her credit, that she has put in hours rehearsing.

“She has a voice that is different,” continues Justin, who is also musical, and who accompanies his talented daughter on guitar.

Sophie Whelan from Mullingar.

Sophie’s mother, Elizabeth, concurs with her husband’s take on Sophie’s dedication: “Sophie was always into the singing: she’s been singing since she was a baby,” she says.

“She used to hold little ‘shows’ at home and invite all the family; and carry out little poetry sessions. She was always into singing and entertaining and having the craic.”

The Whelans are, they admit, excited about Sophie’s forthcoming TV appearance.

“We’re very proud of her,” says Justin. “We can’t wait for the show to be aired.”

As it turns out, Sophie’s appearance is almost a case of history repeating itself, since “about 20 years ago”, reveals Justin, he performed on The Late Late Show.

Justin wasn’t on the Toy Show, but was a member of a band called Marbles, from Boyle, who performed during Pat Kenny’s time as Late Late presenter.