Posted on 3rd Dec
Christmas pantomimes are always full of the unexpected – but there was an extra touch of magic at Mansfield Palace Theatre’s Peter Pan on Friday.
One of the stars of the production, Adam Moss – who plays Smee – surprised his girlfriend, Karen Tomkins, by proposing to her on stage towards the end of the show.
During Smee’s sing-a-long section, he nervously announced that he was going to break from tradition to present a Christmas gift to his girlfriend of over four years.
Little did Karen, who has appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, or the audience know that while Tinker Bell (Nick Jr’s Holly Atterton) was cheekily distracting Karen with a big gift box, Adam was dropping down on to one knee to ask the biggest question of the night.
Luckily, Karen said yes.
Adam said: “I’m over the moon that Karen said yes… if she had said no, it would have gone viral and that would have been awkward!
“It had been planned for over six months and everyone knew but her. I can’t thanks Martin Dodd (UK Productions’ producer) and the amazing staff at Mansfield Palace Theatre enough for keeping this secret. Mansfield is a special place for me and I’m so happy I got to share it with you all.”
Karen added: “It’s not really sunk in yet. I can’t believe it happened, but every time I tell someone I feel so happy and excited. Getting engaged this way was so amazing.”
Louise Atkin, Mansfield Palace Theatre’s marketing manager, who was in on the surprise, said: “It was lovely to be part of such a magical, romantic gesture.”
Karen has been involved in show business all her life, so Adam thought it was fitting to make his grand gesture on stage.
Karen was a National Young Magician of the Year finalist aged 15, a feat that included performing a James Bond-themed magic act at the famous Magic Circle in London, with Timothy Dalton as a special guest.
Karen was part of illusionist duo David and Karen who auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent. They impressed all of the judges and went straight through to the live semi-finals where they came third in their heat and second in the public vote.
Her latest solo illusion show is called 2BDazzle, a fresh twist on traditional big box tricks. She will be spending the festive season working in both The Sooty Show and Zippo’s Circus at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland extravaganza.
Adam started acting aged six in TV commercials such as for Kellogg’s All-Bran, the Daily Mail and Tesco.
He was assistant floor manager for SMTV with Ant and Dec, then appeared on TV in programmes including Eastenders, Holby City, Chucklevision and Spooks.
He has previously appeared at the Palace Theatre panto as Silly Billy in Sleeping Beauty.
Peter Pan, which is 90% sold, runs until Saturday, 31st December. To book tickets, visit www.mansfieldpalace.co.uk or call 01623 633133.
