EVERYONE thought Neil Maidman and Peta Evans (pictured) were just acting when they starred opposite each other as lovers.

But it was a case of fiction mirroring reality as their on-stage chemistry was love in real life.

And last weekend, it was a case of enter my husband, stage left, as the pair tied the knot at Caldicot Castle.

The couple, both members of Blackwood Little Theatre, played lovers in a one-act play staged by the company last week.

Peta played Laura while Neil was Alec in Noel Coward's Still Life, a poignant love story where the lovers meet at a railway station cafe throughout their intense affair.

But, unknown to the audience, the actors were planning a real-life tryst just days later, as the countdown to their wedding had already started.

And on Sunday, they were joined by other members of the theatre for their big day, with fellow thespian Vic Mills acting as best man.

Neil, who is 32, told the Argus that he and 39-year-old Peta met around 14 years ago at a drama group in Rhymney.

They have been a couple for four years and now live in Aberdare, where Peta works at a bank. Neil is manager of Halfords, in Maesglas, Newport.

"We have acted opposite each other before in a play called Same Time Next Year, about a couple who have an affair over 25 years," he said. "We've also played brother and sister a couple of times."

But he said it had been particularly special, acting together just a week before their own wedding.

"It does help your performance, acting a romantic part with someone you feel romantically about," he added.

"We just really enjoy acting together - we both love the theatre and have so much in common."

Peta's 14-year-old son Ian, from a previous marriage, gave her away at the ceremony at Caldicot Castle.

And Neil's three-year-old daughter Victoria was also at the wedding. The couple have now jetted off to St Lucia for their honeymoon and a well-deserved break, before giving a party for all their theatre friends when they return.

They then intend to take a short break from acting and will not be appearing in the company's next production in November.