Marriage proposal a surprise encore to Beauty of a show
AN UNREHEARSED and totally unexpected ending had the audience and cast of Beauty and the Beast reaching for hankies on Sunday.
During the encore for the matinee, and with the knowledge of only a handful of production staff, audience member David Anderson emerged from back stage, called his girlfriend Jo Hay to the stage and them dropped to one knee to ask for her hand in marriage.
Di O'Ferrall, who was in the Jetty Theatre, said the delight and surprise of patrons and cast was palpable.
"When Jo said yes there were tears of joy and spontaneous cheers and clapping from all in the theatre," Ms O'Ferrall said.
David and Jo met two years ago when they both were cast in the Musical Comedy Company's production of Cabaret, and they have been inseparable ever since.
David said he felt that proposing in the theatre that had brought them together, and while many of their friends were on stage, would be particularly significant.
As proposals go it was the ultimate Disney moment.
