Going to the Theatre alone

Another person here who's never understood why it might be considered odd to go to the cinema alone - you're basically sitting in a dark room trying to be as quiet as possible, literally the best solo activity

I remember reading that people don’t notice you generally as much as you think they do. Most people are tied up with themselves.
It reminds me of the Mitford girls’ nanny, who to stop them feeling self conscious, growing up, always said
“No one will be looking at you”
On her wedding day, Diana Mitford went to nanny to show her her dress
Guess what she said?

I live in London and also travel to theatres outside London. I go to the theatre quite a lot. I just checked and it was over 30 times last year and 18 times so far this year. I nearly always go on my own. I don't feel lonely or weird. I quite often meet friends or my adult DC afterwards for drinks.

Although I still enjoy myself when I have company I prefer to go on my own. I can completely immerse myself in the experience without having to worry about whether a companion is enjoying it. I also like to have the freedom to leave in the interval if I'm not enjoying this (although I only do this very , very occasionally so not at all this year or last year ).

Galleries are MUCH better alone. It’s like going on a long walk with someone and finding out two miles in that they walk much slower/faster than you, or they want to stride on joylessly through sleet when you want to get the bus to the nearest pub.

Yes, exactly. I no longer live in London, so will only be there for a night or two, often at fairly short notice, so I cram in as much theatre/art/classical music as I can. I occasional go to opera live relays in cinemas where I now live, and when I’ve gone alone I’ve often met really nice people. Last time (Madama Butterfly from the Met) I met a really nice guy who later on offered me (for free) pair of very hard to get tickets for an opera festival recital where I ended up sitting next to his friends, who were great and full of good stories.

I do this all the time and love it! It's only the same as going to a gallery on your own

Go, and then start a thread on MN on your way back. "Just got back from seeing Dear England. Anyone else seen it and want to talk about it?"

I wouldn't recommend doing that with Slave Play, but most other things should get a decent chat.

Would it be sadder not to see a play you want to see because no one was available to come with you? Last time I went to see a play alone, a quite famous actress was sitting directly behind me, also alone. I didn’t actually notice her until the man next to me (who turned out to be the husband of one of the cast members, also alone) said who she was. I had to run off afterwards, because I had a babysitter, but he invited me backstage to meet his wife.

So cool people go to see plays by themselves.

I’ve just started going to the theatre on my own this year and I love it. My partner or friends aren’t into musicals so I thought I’d try going myself and it wasn’t strange at all. There are always a few people on their own anyway.

I’ve seen 6 shows this year and I’ve got another 4 or 5 booked.

Go and have fun.

It’s normal to go alone- I go. Get the cheap seats on the day. It’s great- it’s dark in there and no one has a clue if you’re on your own. They may be as well x

Didn't know how to vote but I was doing this from my early 20s when I first went to live in London - usually at Saturday matinees. I know what you mean about not having anyone to talk to about it but I still really enjoyed it!

Wouldn’t bother me in the least!

Plus I like sitting right at the front, even the front row, which doesn’t suit everyone…

I’m a regular at the theatre and concerts on my own. Love it. I have plenty of friends, but fixing the whole thing up can be a chore and I often leave in the interval if I’m not enjoying it, which doesn’t suit everyone.

I do this all the time, mostly because I tend to get last minute tickets to save money and it’s too difficult to coordinate with other people at short notice!

The only downside really is not being able to discuss it afterwards but I find not all my friends are that interested in dissecting plays in detail anyway 😁 I usually just go to reviews or online forums if I want to talk about the play after I’ve seen it.

It's really not sad or lonely. I love going to theatre and cinema alone. Also love eating alone in Chinatown (London) beforehand. Very good for the soul :)

I actively prefer going to the theatre and cinema by myself - it's my time to completely absorb myself in whatever I'm watching and without having to think about whether somebody else wants to chat or whether they're enjoying it or not. As a PP said, it's literally a solo activity.

I've been known to go back and watch things again after I've been with someone else and it's definitely better .

It is annoying when people pity you for having to go solo.
Are they definitely pitying you? How odd. I go on my own, whenever I've mentioned it I've just had comments of "sounds lovely" and asking what I saw.

If someone did ask if I'd been on my own and looked pitying I'd just reply positively saying yes and I really enjoyed it.

I was at the cinema on my own once in my early 20s. Two men were talking a bit loudly and I heard them say incredulously, "she's here on her own". I turned round and raised my beer I was taking in and said cheerily "Yes I am. And I've got a pint". Very much enjoyed how taken aback they looked.

I’ve recently started going to the cinema by myself. got a membership with unlimited films so I can take myself off whenever I want. I absolutely love it. Not sad at all

@CharlotteRumpling no ofcourse you are right.

Looking at my own social group though and adults in different generations in my family, those that have worked outside of the house or have generally lived more independent lives, used to spending time on their own and money on themselves are less likely to find doing activities solo unusual. Whereas those that have always been SAHM, looking after grandchildren or elderly care and generally have themselves at the bottom of the list don't think to spend time and money on what they enjoy and find it odd when others do. But Im sure it's more complicated than that on a wider scale.

OP were you bullied at school or didn't have many friends? I think for a lot of adults that vulnerability and sensitivity of being thought of as being 'Billy no mates' is hard to shake even decades after leaving the education system.

Nothing wrong at all. Especially if others have different tastes, in fact if they don't come with you, someone who has the same theatre preferences gets a seat.

I won't go to opera as it is not to my taste, someone who likes it gets the seat I would have had.

OP you are literally the only perosn on your thread suggesting there is anything weird or wrong about it! 'What's wrong with it?' Nothing!
Stop listening to small minded people and start booking tickets to stuff you want to see. If anyone is bothered enough to say something just brush it off and tell them how much you're looking forwards to/ how much you enjoyed the show.
I went to the Guys and Dolls matinee by myself yesterday and didn't feel remotely tragic.