Carlow kids help The Grinch steal the show!
Children from Spotlight Stage School, Carlow starred in The Late Late Toy Show on Friday night
THE very talented youngsters from Spotlight Stage School in Carlow shone like the brightest stars in the sky when they appeared on on RTÉ on Friday night.
The eagerly-awaited annual show, beloved by children and adults alike, was finally broadcast on Friday night, living up to all expectations with this year’s theme being ‘The Grinch’.
Over 320 children were involved throughout the show, with the opening and closing sequences centering on the story of The Grinch and featuring 50 members of the Carlow Spotlight Stage School. They burst onto the scene in a mad cacophony of singing, dancing and colourful costumes, with host Patrick Kielty dressed as The Grinch himself.
That set the scene for the rest of the show, where pint-sized musicians and dancers entertained record-breaking audiences.
Stuart O’Connor and Ciara Armstrong, who run the Spotlight Stage School, spent weeks in the run-up to the show getting all the children ready for the big night. Stuart not only choreographs his own stage school members but also works with all the individuals and groups throughout the show as the ’s performance producer.
“We got a great reaction to it all. There was a lot of good will towards us, even more than usual,” Stuart told . “This was our biggest show yet, with over 320 kids involved. There was a huge amount of planning put into it and a lot of rehearsals.
“When it works, and you see what the audiences see, that’s amazing,” said Stuart.
Apart from the fabulous opening and closing set pieces, other highlights included heart-string-tugging performances from the children plus surprise appearances by special guests Roy Keane, Kingfishr and CMAT, as well as Louis Capaldi via video.
Spotlight have been working on for 17 years, and even after all that time it’s still holds a special place in Stuart and Ciara’s hearts.
“We got a great reaction to it – people were saying it was the best one yet. It was a very emotional this year. It’s still as magical as ever. The children don’t see the set until the day before, and it’s always amazing for them.
“On the night, you just can’t recreate that atmosphere. The kids have an absolute ball doing it, and it’s a show that the whole family sits down together to watch. It brings everyone together, and the next day everyone is talking about it.
“It’s rare to find a show like that,” said Ciara.
Though Stuart and Ciara have the Toy Show done and dusted for this year, they are still working on the Rathwood Christmas experience in Rathwood, Tullow and the pantomime in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on Dame Street. It’s a very busy time for them, but it’s as special as it ever was for the dynamic duo!
“We still get excited about the … it’s magical! It’s a big part of our Christmas, it’s part of our lives now. It’s a privilege to be part of it. It’s very special,” said Ciara.
