A real life romance was played out on a Norwich theatre's stage when James Gascoigne got down on one knee and popped the question to his future bride.

%image(14840041, type="article-full", alt="After watching a video held by a life size cut out of James Gascoigne, Amanda Halliday say "yes" to him on the stage at the Maddermarket Theatre.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY")

The dramatic proposal took place at the Maddermarket Theatre on Saturday evening, after Mr Gascoigne's girlfriend Amanda Halliday had spent all day following a surprise treasure hunt.

'When Amanda was growing up she did a lot of theatre productions and she loves the theatre so I thought I would put her centre stage,' said 30-year-old Mr Gascoigne and had been planning the occasion since October.

'I work in events so I didn't want to do the normal thing of going to the beach or a restaurant. I didn't want to propose in the traditional way.'

Dr Halliday, 31, who works at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, woke up on Saturday morning to a special message, and she said she had an inkling Mr Gascoigne was going to propose because they had previously talked about getting married.

'I must admit I walked around in a complete daze all day. I was getting so nervous, not nerves through what to say, I knew what was happening, but I didn't know how it was going to happen,' she said.

'I got up and I had a message with a photo of my two cats, George and Tilly, and they asked me if I wanted to play a game today. Then I was sent on a treasure hunt around the house to find little parcels,' she said.

One told her she was to have her hair done at Max Giammello and a facial and her make-up done at The Cottage Hair and Beauty.

After that she was asked to go to the Maddermarket Theatre and - in between the venue's Saturday performances of its current show The Beaux' Stratagem - she was led on to the stage where she found a cardboard cut-out of Mr Gascoigne holding a video packed full of messages from family and friends.

When the video finished the real Mr Gascoigne walked out onto the stage and asked if she would become his wife.

'Yes, very much so!', was Dr Halliday's answer before the couple sealed their proposal with a kiss and celebrated with champagne.

About the big moment, Dr Halliday said: 'I just looked at James and I actually forgot about everyone else, it was just about us,

'All I saw was James and all that mattered was all that he was saying and the promise he made.'

And after the proposal Mr Gascoigne whisked his future wife off to a surprise meal at Benedicts before giving her tickets to go to Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground yesterday so that she could start planning their special day.

The couple, who live in Linacre Avenue, Sprowston, and have been together for four-and-a-half-years, hope to get married in 2017.

'We're excited for what is to come, really looking forward to planning the wedding,' said Dr Halliday.

'I would like something a bit quirky, a festival theme with lots of music and lots of fun.'

To watch the proposal, visit www.edp24.co.uk

Are you planning an unusual wedding? Email newsdesk@archant.co.uk