Unexpected evenings out are typically the finest, and this week, Jason Manford made sure that was true for one fortunate fan.
The 41-year-old comedian is a huge theatre enthusiast, so he was understandably disappointed when someone pulled out of a Thursday evening theatre excursion to see Brokeback Mountain at London’s Soho Place. He therefore decided to turn to social media for assistance.
He tweeted, ‘Right, random, but I’ve been let down so is anyone in central London right now and want to come and see Brokeback Mountain the musical tonight! I have an extra ticket. Soho Place theatre, 7.30! No weirdos, you buy the snacks! ’
Unsurprisingly, fans were stunned by the unexpected offer, and fortunate fan Hannah Fox responded just in time to experience an unforgettable night.
She replied: ‘I can be there in 18 minutes… What do you reckon?’
‘Could be doable,’ he tweeted back, as she quipped: ‘I promise I’m not a weirdo!’
Thankfully Jason believed her, and she was in a race against time to make the 7.30 start time, adding: ‘Alright well I’m going to head to the theatre, just at Baker St! If you’re there you’re there! 👍🏻’
She arrived on time, and it appears that the newly-made companions had a wonderful time.
After the performance, Jason tweeted a photo of himself and Hannah, as well as a photo with the musician Eddi Reader, who accompanied the performance with her four-piece ensemble.
He wrote: ‘What a wonderful play! Loved it. If you get chance to see @brokebackplay at @sohoplacelondon then do.
What a wonderful play! Loved it. If you get chance to see @brokebackplay at @sohoplacelondon then do. Thanks to my random friend for the night @hannahrosefox for making sure I wasn’t sat by myself & to @eddireader for just being a goddess as always. Go see it. Beautiful. pic.twitter.com/m4FMc19fGN
— Jason Manford (@JasonManford) May 25, 2023
‘Thanks to my random friend for the night @hannahrosefox for making sure I wasn’t sat by myself & to @eddireader for just being a goddess as always. Go see it. Beautiful.’
Fans were ecstatic with the outcome, and everyone was pleased to learn that everything happened according to plan.
‘Literally came to see if Hannah made it! This is amazing. Faith in humanity restored,’ replied one follower, while another added: ‘What a great night, glad you enjoyed the play and were able to offer the ticket. A nice Twitter exchange for once. And Eddi as well ❤️’
A third fan tried their luck, saying: ‘If your ever in Leeds or Manchester with a spare ticket give me a shout. Such a good thing to do 🙌’
Unsurprisingly, Hannah also had the most fun, characterising the entire experience as a “wonderful story to tell” and encouraging others to seize any opportunities that present themselves.
She tweeted: ‘Well, what a bizarre but brilliant evening. One of the many reasons I love living in London – you always can be 18 minutes away from a wonderful story to tell! Say yes to great opportunities and see what happens. 🙌🏻🙌🏻 thanks @JasonManford. Top guy.’
Replying to Jason’s tweet, she added: ‘🙌🏻 great evening and, of course, great company. Thanks Jason, bizarre but brilliant. And please do see the play if you’re in town folks, it was genuinely ace.’
Meanwhile, Hannah remarked that it was quite remarkable that she only mentioned Jason’s 2020 appearance as Hedgehog on The Masked Singer twice.
She laughed: ‘🤣🤣🤣 what a lovely chap, hey! I’m one lucky Fox. And I only mentioned the @MaskedSingerUK once. Or maybe twice.’
