Chipping Norton theatregoer asks partner to marry her during panto

With the help of the Dame Sal M'nella, Sam King proposed to her now fiance Thom during a performance of Dick Whittington at Chipping Norton Theatre.

And now the happy couple are considering a wedding at the theatre which has become a wedding venue.

Sam said: "Thom - my angel - and I met in November 2021 and knew almost immediately that we were for ever. 

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"Over the next 12 months he must have proposed 15 times and I always said, yes, one day. 

"When the annual Chippy panto day came around I had the idea to ask the Dame to propose to Thom for me." 

Sam said she chose the venue as it holds "many, many happy memories" for her and her youngest daughters do musical theatre workshops there. 

"Also my partner was once an actor so it all just felt magical," she said.

And it was. 

Sam recalled: "Dame Sal M'nella gave us a shout out midway - and then she came back to us at the end.

"I was super nervous as I knew why Dame Sal was coming back to us.

"Then she asked the audience to cast their minds back to us - Perdy and Pixie and Sam and Thom.

"And then she made her announcement that Sam wished to ask Thom if he would be my husband."

Thom had no idea what was coming.

"He was super tearful and so touched and knee deep in shock," said Sam. "Perdy and Pixie laughed and smiled. Perdy filmed the whole thing for me. 

"The audience all applauded and when we left - after Thom accepted my kind offer! - the bar was full of cheers for us and we were presented with some bubbles to toast our love. 

"We felt magical and still do. It was an amazing start to our future.

"I can’t thank Chippy enough and Andrew Pepper, the actor who plays the Dame."

Sam King and now fiance Thom at Chipping Norton Theatre (Image: Public)

Tess Brice, of Chipping Norton Theatre, said the proposal was "so exciting".

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And that might not be the end of the story.

The dinky theatre, built in the 1870s with a vaulted wooden roof and bare stone walls has licensed its stage for weddings.

So will the couple we stepping back into the spotlight for their big day?

"We would love to marry in the theatre yes…" said Sam. "We shall see."

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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