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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Going to the theatre by myself

91 replies

AmIALoser · 12/11/2025 22:54

Can I go to the theatre by myself?

there is a show that I really want to see which has mostly sold out. The only few seats available are single seats so I’d have to go by myself.

Will I look weird/be judged?

Im quite happy to eat in a restaurant by myself when away from home, and I think I’d be ok with going to the cinema by myself. But the theatre feels different somehow.

YABU - You’ll be fine
YANBU - You’ll look like a loner

OP posts:
Nutmuncher · 12/11/2025 23:46

Lucky to have several theatres on my doorstep- I often go solo, to be honest it’s very rare me and DP ever sit next to each other when we go together.

Freebus · 12/11/2025 23:46

Definitely go. No one will care. Last time I was at the theatre I saw people move around anyway if there are free spaces - to get more comfy seats.

RecordBreakers · 12/11/2025 23:44

I almost always go to the theatre by myself.
Have done multiple times a year over 30 odd years.

Much easier to book than trying to find a day that works for 2 or more people. Plus, as you have found, you can sometimes pick up a single seat even when shows are popular.

I find it really strange that you are nervous of going to the theatre on your own but are happy to go to a restaurant on your own. At the theatre, you are sitting in the dark, being passive, just watching the show and not talking to or interacting with anyone. More usually, at a meal, historically you would be there meeting someone, and chatting with them. Not that there is anything wrong with going on your own, but it seems a bigger step than going to the theatre on your own.

Ahwig · 12/11/2025 23:42

I’ve retired and my husband is still working so I’ve had several great afternoon cinema trips on my own and I think the theatre is just the same.

StewkeyBlue · 12/11/2025 23:42

Just this evening I’ve booked to see 2 different shows by myself - got an e mail about special offers for fast selling seats at cheap prices, and want to see the shows.

By the time I ask friends if they want to go and faff around about available dates, the cheap deal seats will be gone. The objective is to see the show. I can arrange to see my friends any time, and actually talk with them!

I do go to the theatre with friends and family. But go on my own too. And see plenty of people there on their own.

Who cares?

Lincslady53 · 12/11/2025 23:36

Who is going to judge you? I'll tell you who. No one. Go and have a good night out and enjoy yourself.

Fuzzywoo · 12/11/2025 23:32

MagicalAnimal · 12/11/2025 22:56

I did this for the first time last month and it was great. No one cares, they are all there to see the same show as you. I actually ended up briefly chatting to someone at the interval who was also there alone. Go for it!

I did this a few months ago when there was just one seat available in the stalls. It was good to see the show and not miss it because I couldn't get two seats together for me and a friend.

changemyname4thisonly · 12/11/2025 23:31

I often go to the theatre by myself.
Nobody gives me a second glance

crappycrapcrap · 12/11/2025 23:31

I did this recently - Saw a production I really wanted to but couldn’t think of anyone who would enjoy it or afford it to go with so I went alone - loved it! I had a glass of wine and afterwards a mooch around the nice shops and felt like a little holiday. No one appeared to care less that I was on my own.

Vgbeat · 12/11/2025 23:28

I went to see Greg.Davies on my own earlier this year as I could only get one ticket. I had a great time

RubyMentor · 12/11/2025 23:27

Sorry I voted the wrong way, absolutely nothing wrong with going to the theatre on your own and ditto eating a meal enjoy yourself

ilovesooty · 12/11/2025 23:23

Go and have a lovely time.

Maddy70 · 12/11/2025 23:21

It's one of life's luxuries

Buxusmortus · 12/11/2025 23:20

I've done it a lot. No one cares in the slightest. Face it, if you're there with other people do you look at the people either side and assess who they're with, or if they're alone, of course you don't! You simply don't care about them at all.
You'll be absolutely fine.

Cynic17 · 12/11/2025 23:19

Yes!! I'm going to London next week to stay for 3 nights, and going to the theatre by myself every night. It's a massive treat, and I do it a couple of times a year. I mean, why wouldn't you? It's 2025, not 1825, for goodness sake.

GCAcademic · 12/11/2025 23:18

I don’t understand why this is even a question. It’s perfectly normal to go to the theatre on your own.

Dillydollydingdong · 12/11/2025 23:17

I've been to the theatre by myself, no problem. If you only do things when you've got company, you could end up never doing anything. So go!!

Wellretired · 12/11/2025 23:17

Theatre, cinema, exhibitions ... i go to them all on my own. No one cares or notices!

TubeScreamer · 12/11/2025 23:15

I’ve done it several times and really enjoyed it. No worrying about whether or not the person I’ve dragged along is hating it!
I think it has become much more common as prices have gone up. Certainly noticed lots of other people on their own the last few times.

MCF86 · 12/11/2025 23:15

AmIALoser · 12/11/2025 23:03

Thank you, I feel a bit better about it. I supposed I’m worried about people thinking that I don’t have any friends to go with, or bumping into someone who I vaguely know and then asking who I’m with. I have a lot of insecurities from being bullied at school over 15 years ago and it’s making me feel a bit anxious. Plus it’s a comedian that I want to see, I really hope they don’t try to interact with me…

Just don't sit at the front!
If anyone asks surely you'd just say what you did here "there were only single tickets by the time I looked, so I came on my own rather than miss it"

HouseWithASeaView · 12/11/2025 23:09

I’ve been by myself a few times. In our local theatre, there are a few seats where you’re slightly off at an angle so I tend to pick one of those as it seems a bit less obvious than if I was slap
bang in the middle of the stalls. I also tend to arrive just before it starts so that there’s no hanging around.

Deskchairs · 12/11/2025 23:08

I go alonne a lot. I like the cheap last minute tickets and need to make a quick decision, without time to find someone to come with me, so I just book and go.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 12/11/2025 23:07

I have been by myself and it was brilliant. Had the most fabulous (and cheap) seat all by itself, but that’s not a must obviously .

AuntieDolly · 12/11/2025 23:04

It’s so freeing! Absolutely go alone - you don’t have to wonder if anyone else is enjoying it

Original poster
AmIALoser · 12/11/2025 23:04

StrangerOnline · 12/11/2025 22:59

Absolutely yes, do go.
I often go to theatre (and cinema, and music gigs) on my own. Usually get chatting to people sitting nearby. Not odd at all.

The only thing I won’t go to on my own is a live stand-up comedy gig.

Why not a live stand up gig? That’s what it is!

OP posts: