Shrek’s proposal
Princess says I do at theatre
An ogre had his marriage proposal accepted in front of a full house of 400 people.
And Shrek actor Mikey McCabe revealed: “I was more nervous about that than a week on stage. Fortunately for me she said yes.
“It was easy to get down on one knee, but getting back up in this costume with three- inch heels wasn’t easy.”
The Ayr Amateur Operatic Company lead stunned the audience on Saturday night at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr.
The curtains opened for what folk thought was to be a further bow. But it turned out to be an altogether more romantic encore as the jolly green giant plunged on to one knee.
He asked stunned stage wife Princess Fiona to be his real wife.
It brought the house down when she said yes. Princess Fiona was being played by the now bride- to- be Ciara Brady, 25.
And Ciara revealed: “As a climax to a show, this will never be beaten for me.
“I think it was a pretty safe bet for Mikey that he knew I would say yes. If I had said no, that would have been rather awkward to say the least.
“But I had absolutely no idea he was planning it. When the curtain came back up again I wondered what had gone wrong.”
The pair, of Ayr, were unable to exchange rings on stage – because of their giant latex ogre hands. And it meant they stayed in character for children afterwards in the meet and greet session.
Instead Mikey had employed young actress Kiara Capstick to produce the ring, helping create a diversion as he sank to the stage floor.
Former Belmont Academy girl Ciara is the present President of AAOC and 38- yearold Mikey is the vice president.
She is studying a Masters in Education and former Marr College pupil Mikey is an environmental technician.
He has been planning the big moment since September – the day he found out he’d landed the Shrek role and Ciara his stage wife Fiona. Mikey added: “It must have been written in the stars – it was meant to be.
“Our story is the stage at The Gaiety, the right time and the right place.
“I have to admit Shrek and Princess Fiona are not the stereotypical lovely couple. We spent the second act farting and burping at each other.
“But everything went better than I could ever have hoped.
“The Gaiety staff were superb in helping me make it all work.”
The couple have been dating for six years, first meeting during the Jesus Christ Superstar production.
There may well be a nod to Shrek in some form of theme at the wedding, the date of which has not yet been set.
Past President David Kennell said: “Romance certainly blooms in our company, there have been a variety of relationships and I met my wife Wendy 15 years ago.
“But this is the first time in our 116- year history it has happened on stage.
“It is brilliant news and we are so happy for them. That is was Shrek and Fiona is even funnier.”