Going to the theatre by myself

I voted the wrong way.
If course you can!
I've just come back from an exhibition and museum visit alone in London and I had a lovely time!

I have not voted, but I do think that the OP is being unreasonable, because if they are able to go out, and eat alone in a restaurant, then going to the theatre, where you sit in the dark, should be easy, imo.

Of course it is … I love going to the National by myself . I’m going to see End at the national in a few weeks for which there were only single tickets in the unrestricted view seats .It’s great and very very liberating .

If you are worried about bumping into someone just have a few stock phrases in your head if asked who are you with...

"I've been wanting to see this for ages. No one else was free to join me but there was no way I was going to miss out. I'm so glad I came"

I've just got back from a solo trip to the theatre. The people either side of me were also there alone. The production was excellent and the theatre packed which wasn't a surprise as there had only been single tickets when I booked. A fortnight ago I went alone to see a completely different theatre production knowing there was a chance I'd bump into people I knew. As it happened, I didn't this time but I'd have no qualms saying I'd wanted to see the show but hadn't found anyone else who was available at short notice.

I can't believe you're even asking this! Why would anyone judge you for going to the theatre alone? It's not like you can interact with your companions during the show (At least, you certainly shouldn't do so!)

To me, eating alone in a restaurant is more conspicuous than going to the theatre alone, so if you're happy doing that (which I am too and very much enjoy it), why not the theatre?

same. I do lots of things on my own if nobody else fancies them (and tbh for things like theatre, cinema etc have started occasionally just going and not bothering to even ask others because I'm so sick of the back and forth 'well I can do this date but not...' and 'well it depends how much the seats are...' faffing), but out of everything eating alone is one of the things I don't really enjoy.

I've travelled alone so obviously still do it but, perhaps because I'm not really a foodie, for me the main advantage of going for a meal or drink is to spend time with people, so if it's just me I'd be as happy with a sandwich or takeaway.

I do find people notice a lot more when you're eating alone - probably purely because it's more obvious if you a) have to announce it when being asked what size table you need and b) you're sitting there in full view for an hour or two. Whereas in the theatre etc. everyone is sitting so close together and (hopefully) not talking to each other while the show is on, so it's hard to work out who is in what group unless you really stare, and it's dark most of the time.

Sorry, feel I should’ve been clearer…
a live comedy gig in a theatre with pre-booked and numbered seats….? Yes - I absolutely would still go on my own.

But I often go with friends to small, local venues (eg/ pubs) for comedy nights. There’s no organised seating, and those nights I think I would risk feeling more uncomfortable (very much more obviously on my own).

I go the theatre by myself a fair bit - for work and not for work! i always know LOADS of people
who do the same - honestly please do it. you'll have a lovely time!

i went the cinema last night by myself also - i bloody love it!! peace and quiet in a dark room - heaven haha!

what's the show?

I've gone to the movies and the opera by myself.

I've been to cinema, theatre and stand up on my own because i was fed up of missing out on things because no one could/would come with me. I'd really not worry!!

OMG, do it!! If I could vote YABU twice then I would.
I love going to the theatre by myself and regularly do.
Seriously, why would you not?! No-one cares if you're there by yourself or not, and even if they did - so what? Just enjoy yourself. Who gives a stuff what others think.

Pros are
You get to see whatever you like, you don't have to see if anyone else would like to come too, or when is convenient, what days you can both do, etc

You can bag the best seats at last minute as half the time there'll be one random left over seat that no-one else has taken as it's only the one and not enough for a few if you're with some mates 🙂

You don't miss out on what you want to see because no-one else fancies it.

Seriously. Just go. Do it. Right now. 😁

I've been to cinema, theatre and stand up on my own because i was fed up off missing out on things because no one could/would come with me. I'd really not worry!!

Perfectly normal - you're sitting in the dark and not supposed to be chatting, so it's a perfect place to be solo

I can’t believe 7% think YABU

its The best!

I went to the theatre last week by myself. Absolutely fantastic.

It is really something to just go do things alone. I didn't give a shit. I felt quite empowered by my ability to be so comfortable in doing this that I walked in with such confidence and smiles that I didn't notice anyone else. A lovely couple decided to talk to me which was nice so I met new interesting people for ten minutes. That was a nice experience but enough after ten mins. You can really enjoy something without having to talk when you go alone.

Go and enjoy yourself.

When we went to see Harry Potter on the £20 lottery seats, there was a teenage girl there who had watched it from the £20 front row lottery seats 15 times! After the first couple of times, she went alone and loved it. So I say embrace the gen Z vibe and go alone.

I go to the theatre by myself all the time.

no one judges me and even if they did I don’t give a fuck.

go. Enjoy.

Theatre is my major hobby and luxury. A quick check showed I've been to 30 shows this year and 22 of those were solo visits. Usually I prefer it because I can really focus on the play and not have to worry about whether my companion/s are enjoying themselves. On the rare occasion I really dislike the play I can leave in the interval without having to worry about anyone else's preference (my husband once made me sit through the 2nd act of Wicked and I've never quite got over the horror of it).

It's a perfectly normal thing to do.

It’s nice to go to the theatre/cinema with other people and share the experience. It’s just as nice to go on your own and just have your own thoughts. It’s really normal, something I do a lot, and anyone judging is pretty narrow minded.

Nobody will bat an eyelid. Go and enjoy!

Don’t be ridiculous, why do you worry so much about what other people think. Why is it odd or feel ashamed that your on your own, who cares. I feel sorry for people that miss out on things cause they darent go alone.

Being on your own, means you don’t have to worry about is the other people your with enjoying the show. I’ve been to many things on my own, Notice especially at concerts there’s always a miserable couple sitting there and your wonder why their there? Or you know someone has been dragged along as their other half wanted to go.

As the price of tickets is so expensive, you see a lot more people on there own.

Love going to the theatre on my own.

I voted the wrong way too … I keep going to book myself a ticket to go on my own too OP and chicken out ..think I will now after seeing all these comments