A York theatregoer has won return flights to Canada in a surprise on-stage giveaway at the Grand Opera House this week.
Sue Brown, from York, was revealed to be the lucky person who booked the winning seat of York Stage’s ‘Golden Seat’ giveaway – revealed during the curtain call of the Come From Away performance on Wednesday 15 April.
As gold confetti cannons fired across the auditorium on Wednesday evening, a golden light shone on the winning seat and it was announced live on stage by cast member Richard Billings.
Opening a large golden envelope in front of the audience, he revealed that seat H15 in the stalls was the ‘Golden Seat’ – winning two return flights to Newfoundland, the real-life setting of the remarkable true story told in Come From Away.
The prize was provided by York’s award-winning Heritage Collection Travel, and gives
winner Sue the opportunity to visit the very place where the events of the show unfolded in the days following 9/11.
York Stage announced they would be doing their ‘biggest ever theatre giveaway’ earlier this year, in a celebration of the show’s powerful true story and its real-life connection to Newfoundland.
Kevin Coundon, marketing director at York Stage, said: “We’ve been building up to this moment throughout the run, and to finally reveal our Golden Seat winner live in the theatre was incredibly special.
“Seeing Sue’s reaction, along with the audience around her, is exactly what this show is all about, connection, community and shared experience.”
Nik Briggs, producer and director of York Stage’s production, added: “Come From Away tells a true story rooted in kindness and humanity, so it felt important to create a moment that reflected that spirit.
“Partnering with Heritage Collection Travel to send someone to Newfoundland, the home of this story, has been a really meaningful way to bring the show full circle.”
York Stage’s production of Come From Away marks the show’s first ever visit to York, bringing the powerful and uplifting true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town that welcomed them to local audiences.
Come From Away is at the Grand Opera House York until Saturday 18 April – tickets available here.
