Going to the theatre on my own?

[IAlwaysTellTheTruthEvenWhenILie]

Is this weird? I have two small children, we have no family nearby. It's been relentless this winter with nonstop ear infections, and so many illnesses. DH and I haven't had much time for each other nor for ourselves. I'm still breastfeeding the youngest but he's 16 months old now so can go extended time periods without me.

I really want to go to the theatre. I love the theatre. Will it be very odd to go on my own, have a drink and eat some chocolate?

Sigh. Why would it be in any way odd? There will be large numbers of solo people Thete.

Of course it's not weird. Why would it be?

No. Trust me
I've been to the theatre alone several times. No one will care that you are on your own.

I definitely would. I was getting g tickets to the ballet on my own a few months back but then a friend wanted to come. My husband goes alone a fair bit. It's not a social thing necessarily as you're occupied for the duration.

Of course it’s not weird. Nobody will even notice or care and you’ll have a lovely time. Sounds like you need it!

what are you going to see?

That sounds like a very civilised evening. And completely normal.

When I was single in London, getting a retired ticket to the theatre or opera, or going to the BFI alone was a favourite way to spend an evening.

Why would this be weird? I do it once a year. No one will even notice if you're alone or not.

I used to go alone all the time when I was single as I loved theatre and my friends went less frequently. I’ve been a few times on my own since having children. It will be absolutely fine. I hope you enjoy it.

I can't fathom why you'd think it would be odd in any way?

Kindly, nobody will notice or care. I occasionally have a night or two in London for work and often treat myself to a nice pre-theatre dinner and then a show while I'm there.

I’ve been going to the theatre on my own since I was a teenager. No one will think you are odd. Sometimes it is more enjoyable to be on your own and to be able to think about the play/ show in the interval rather than make small talk. Enjoy!

Thanks for those who have been nice and encouraging.
I have ppd, had an awful night with my toddler and woke up feeling quite low. DH tried to take toddler at 5am but after a while I had to get up because he was screaming and just wanted me.

I had a random thought about just going to the theatre for a break. Theatre is usually a social thing so I wasn't sure if Id look a bit out of place but I don't care, I'm going to book.

Now do I book mamma mia, Grease, or sister act 😁 I might also go for Oliver Twist at Christmas!

Have a great time. One of my happiest weeks was on a course in London on my own and I went to the theatre every night.

a lot of people were on their own. I had some lovely chats.

I’ve been going to the theatre on my own since I was a teenager.

I too!

It’s a completely normal and unremarkable pursuit, @IAlwaysTellTheTruthEvenWhenILie. Enjoy.

I booked a last minute ticket when I was in London for work for Hamnet and was with 3 other people who were also on their own. They were all from overseas, had a lovely chat at the interval! I say that because there may be more single people on the last minute tickets if you were worried about being on your own. Oh, and then we got upgraded to Row F!! Was amazing.

Joining the chorus of “not weird at all”. And equally “no one will care”.

I choose to go on my own a fair bit, and often single seats are available in decent spots that are otherwise sold out. I love spending time with my friends and family, but I’m an introvert and love just doing my own stuff.

Try it. Your personality may dictate whether you like it right away, take some time to like it, or never feel comfortable - but definitely try it!

Theatre isn’t remotely ‘social’. Sure, you might have an interval drink or go out for dinner beforehand to be social, but 99% of theatre still involves sitting silently in the dark looking at what’s happening onstage. (And often even the theatre that doesn’t often encourages you to split up from anyone you came with eg. Punchdrunk immersive theatre, where the audience is usually masked and walking around a building looking for action.)

I’m not sure whether you’re being serious about the musicals, but West End musicals are often dominated by tourist groups and out of towners, compared to, say an NT or Donmar play.

An exactly to good single seats often being available. Which means I’ve often opted to see an opera solo.

The only weird thing about going to the theatre on your own is thinking it's weird. It's a really normal and unremarkable thing to do.

See also going on holiday, having dinner, going to the pub, going to the cinema. All things that are perfectly normal to do solo and yet for some reason cause regular debate about their acceptability.

I go on my own frequently.

Very occasionally one of my adult children will join me if they fancy it.

It's great.

Go! No one will mind or notice.

Enjoy!

I do those things on my own all the time.

I’ve done it , didn’t feel like the one out.

If you don’t have to plan the date in advance you could try to get a rush ticket from todaytix.

Sister Act definitely.

Do this. I’ve been to the theatre alone and concerts. Have something to read beforehand and in the break so you’re not just standing around. I stay in my seat during the intermission. I once had a single man change seats from sitting next to me. No idea why as I wasn’t going to chat to him.

I go to the theatre and cinema on my own. In the old days I used to go to see films at the NFT as was on my own as did everyone else there!
I think I want to see films and plays no one else in my circle wants to.
I've seen the Mousetrap twice on my own. I don't drink alcohol and I've noticed a lot of people at the theatres drink a lot. It's great I can grab an ice cream or be first in the queue or the loo while they are at the bar.
And it would be Grease for me. I've seen the other two. Although I keep meaning to see Mean Girls. Anyway you sound like you have have a right tough time. I hope things get easier for you.