Proposal a show-stopper for theatre audience

CHRIS SKELTON/The Dominion Post

LINES WORD PERFECT: Jayme Dixon says she was "blown away" when Jared Lowe popped the question during a night out at the Opera House.

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Jared Lowe stole the show and the heart of high school sweetheart Jayme Dixon at Wellington's Opera House.

In front of 900 people on Tuesday night, the IT technician got down on one knee and proposed to Ms Dixon during a performance of the play Grumpy Old Women.

"She said yes, so it all went to plan, thankfully," Mr Lowe said.

Ms Dixon, 24, had no idea the proposal was coming.

"It was magical – I couldn't have thought of anything more amazing."

Mr Lowe said a workmate had come up with the idea of the proposal during a play. "Jayme has always been fond of the theatre so that's why I thought it would be a good idea."

Mr Lowe, 25, emailed the show's producers, who thought it was a "brilliant idea" – especially as the play is about women venting their frustrations in life, many of which revolve around their husbands.

"But it was an odd request, I must say," play producer Ben McDonald said.

The couple were written into the play and, before Ms Dixon knew what was happening, Mr Lowe was pulling her up on to the stage in the final scene before the intermission.

"They handed me a microphone and I said a few words and got down on one knee and proposed," said Mr Lowe, who admits he was a nervous wreck leading up to the big moment.

Ms Dixon said she was so "blown away" she had to hang on to the stage prop to stay upright.

Dominion Post theatre reviewer Laurie Atkinson said there was "stunned disbelief" among the audience.

However, once they worked out what was going on and that it was for real, they broke into applause.

"The second half of the show was a bit of a blur," Ms Dixon said.

The couple met eight years ago when they were pupils at Nelson's Waimea College.

"He told me he was a DJ and then six months later he sold his DJ decks and became a computer nerd," Ms Dixon said.

"But he was really shy and sweet and always gave me his jacket when I was cold."

The couple will marry in their hometown of Nelson, probably in 2012. They are not sure if their wedding will have a theatrical theme, or if it can top the proposal.

- © Fairfax NZ News