On stage proposal a real show stopper

The audience of Batley Amateur Thespian Society’s production of High Society got a surprise ending when Chris Sheard proposed to his leading lady.

Chris and his girlfriend of five years Amy Roche were performing opposite each other as Tracy Lord and Dexter Haven in the classic musical comedy (see page 43 of this week’s paper for review).

And having never had the chance to play Amy’s love interest before, Chris was keen to make it a show to remember.

At the end of the final performance at Batley Town Hall, Chris, 32, silenced the band, asked for the house lights to be brought up and on bended knee, asked Amy, 27, to be his wife.

Chris said: “My grandma and grandad were in so I asked to see if they were still awake, and I took a photo of the audience because I thought it would be a nice memento.”

Chris then turned to Amy to pop the question – only to find her looking annoyed that he had stopped the show!

“Her face was like thunder,” he said.

“I took the ring out and got down on one knee.

“Everyone on the audience and on stage gasped and Amy burst into tears.”

She said yes, and the audience burst into applause.

Amy said Chris’s proposal came out of the blue.

“I had no idea, it was totally unexpected,” she said.

“Chris is usually quite rubbish at keeping secrets so I don’t know how he did it.

“It’s not a show that we’re going to forget!”

Members of both Chris and Amy’s families were in the audience (and on stage) to share the special moment.

The pair met through their love of the stage and first performed together in Anything Goes with the Carlinghow Theatre Company in 2007.