Pictures: Cork gears up for The Late Late Toy Show as this year's theme is revealed

The theme of this year’s Late Late Toy Show takes inspiration from the Disney classic, The Lion King. Host Ryan Tubridy is pictured with performers. Picture: Andres Poveda
Excitement is building in Cork and across the country today as the nation gears up for
.RTÉ has assured viewers that they can look forward to "a magical fun-filled Toy Show" inspired this year by Disney's
."Everyone has been locked up for a long time and that’s why we need to head out into the wild and join our friends in
," Toy Show host Ryan Tubridy commented.Jumper still fits 😉🎄🎅💖
— Adam King Adventures (@AdamKingIRL) November 25, 2021
Who's excited for tomorrow night?? We can't wait to tune in and enjoy the most magical night of the year 🌟@RTELateLateShow #LateLateToyShow #1moresleep#TotallyWorthIt pic.twitter.com/wcLuF7py41
"This isn’t just a theme; it is a movement.
"Every child can leave the house and leave the room and leave the kitchen and roam free in the jungle of their families because they are the boss tonight.
"So, it is the future, it is wild, and it is beautiful. Join us in the jungle, we will see you tonight.”
Tonight's show, which kicks off at 9.35pm on RTÉ One, will feature two musical performances from Ryan.
Late late toy show is on tomorrow night. In preparation, our staff have started decorating the school for Christmas to ensure the children are getting into the festive spirit. It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the North Monastery Primary School.🎄🎅 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/0CzNW4g9Zd
— The North Monastery Primary- An Edmund Rice School (@northmonprimary) November 25, 2021
This year's magical Lion King inspired set was created by the RTÉ production Design Department, led by Marcella Power. RTÉ's Costume and Make-Up departments, with costume led by Brigette Horan, have also been busily prepping the cast ahead of tonight's extravaganza.
"Viewers can expect a magical fun-filled Toy Show with wonderful children wearing magical costumes," Ms Horan said.
Countdown is on for the Late Late Toy Show in Redclyffe Family Hub 🎄🎅🏻 #6moresleeps #GSCChristmas pic.twitter.com/fFfM04bzBr
— Good Shepherd Cork (@EdelHouseCork) November 21, 2021
"The vision and thought process behind this year's designs by costume designer Stacey Gallagher and the Costume Design Team was to dramatically create nature at its best, bursting with colour and texture and delivering costume structures that will move effortlessly and comfortably for the children to perform and depict the characters," she added.
The Toy Show Appeal, which last year raised over €6m of much-needed funds for Irish charities will be back for a second year running.