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March 2015
Surprise proposal wows panto crowd
By Josh Timlin
PANTOMIMES usually end with a marriage proposal but audience members at Turn Again Theatre’s production of Robin Hood were shocked to witness the real thing. Tom Cousins, as Robin, had just proposed to Maid Marion, who was being played by Tamsin Kendall, and, having been accepted, the show’s final song was in full swing. But then Dave Nussey, who was starring as wannabe ‘Dangerous’ Dave Knave, waved a halt to proceedings and stunned his fellow cast members, the Holmfirth audience and – in particular – partner Kate Piatt, who was among the production’s chorus. Dave, 45, had cooked up an additional five-minute scene which culminated in him going down on one knee and asking Kate to be his bride.
Happily, she accepted. Luke Nussey and Evan Piatt, the couple’s 13-yearold sons from their previous marriages, were also in on the ruse as castle guards, as well as panto director Lisa Kendall. Dave, who has been together with 42-year-old Kate for two years, admitted the idea to make his proposal on stage was hatched about two weeks before the show. “It was after the first time we rehearsed the finale and it just popped into my head that my character would now have more responsibility after being accepted as a Merry Man,” he added. “It struck me that it could be worked nicely into the scene and as Kate has always wanted an audience, I made sure both sets of parents and all our friends and family would be in attendance that night.” Dave even asked Kate’s dad to stand up so he could
The cast of Turn Again Theatre’s production of Robin Hood celebrate Dave Nussey and tomime, The Little proposal, which was capask for permission to marry Mermaid, but Kate will be tured for posterity on video his daughter during the by an audience member and involved sooner than that additional scene. when she directs Turn has since been viewed by The happy couple have Again Theatre’s production many on social media. yet to set a date for their Dave has vowed to return of The Lion, the Witch and marriage, such has been the the Wardrobe in October, in next January’s panwhirlwind nature of the
Kate Piatt’s engagement. which will feature many of the company’s accomplished younger actors. The group’s next show will be in May when Daren Wild directs The Weir, a haunting tale set in a rural Irish pub.
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