A woman’s boyfriend went down on one knee in front of a live theatre audience and, microphone in hand, popped the question.

Maria Attard, 25, choked and managed to nod her answer before embracing her boyfriend of three years, Josef Cauchi.

The original marriage proposal was made during the show Kelma Kelma u Nota Nota, which married traditional Maltese poetry and song with big band music, at Pjazza Teatru Rjal on Wednesday evening. It featured the Big Band Brothers and actor-presenter Ray Calleja, who were all roped into the proposal plan.

Mr Cauchi’s brother Daniel is the lead singer and director of the 18-piece band.

Mr Calleja first went on stage carrying an ice bucket containing a bottle of champagne and two glasses. He joined some members of the audience to snap a selfie with President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and her husband Edgar Preca and then asked those present whether there was anyone who wanted to say something.

Mr Cauchi promptly waved his hand: he did not have anything extraordinary to narrate but something extraordinary to do, he told the audience. He then proposed to Ms Attard, adding that he hoped her lips would forever be curled into a smile and that her tears would be ones of joy – or the result of peeling an onion, much to the audience’s amusement.

Then he went down on one knee and presented the ring, as the audience burst into applause.

“I’m so glad it all went smoothly,” the 30-year-old told Times of Malta. “Luckily, Maria was completely unsuspecting – which was quite a feat, considering that so many people were involved. Even the President was involved in a way – her permission was sought for the selfie.”