Going to the theatre alone!

[Winterysun]

It often surprises people that I take myself off to the theatre alone, but the last few years I've had the following issues when involving other people - does anyone else find the same?

These are local theatre productions btw, if it's a London West End show my dh, daughter or best friend come, they love it as much as me, and are super reliable!

Local productions the last few years though, I've found the following, which has really spoilt the event for me -

a friend confirming she'd come with me weeks before, and pay me her ticket money on the night, then cancelling with a lame excuse just hours before the show,

dh & I going with 2 other couples to an event, only for them to decide by the interval it wasn't their thing and they'd rather just spend the evening at a nearby pub. They expected us to join them, and weren't happy that we stayed to the end as we were enjoying it. Tension we could have done without!

a friend inviting me along to something with her & her sister (I know her sister but not well), was looking forward to it! Her sister, however decided to pick on me, making fun of me throughout the interval!! OK I'm the quieter one of the 3 of us, but I wasn't expecting that! Never again.

Just recently I was already going to something with a colleague, (she booked), then a friend asked if she could join us. My colleague happily booked another ticket, only for my friend to text me half a dozen times through the day - 'Feeling headachey/Can you let X know so she can sell my ticket/No hang on, it's easing/No it's come back, don't know what to do!'

She did come in the end, but caused me anxiety as it wasn't a cheap ticket, and I needed time to let my colleague find someone else if needed.

I can't be bothered with all that any more. I now just book one ticket, for myself. I can then enjoy it, chill during interval with a coffee/no pressure, and have a much more relaxing time! Being alone in a crowded venue doesn't bother me btw, I see others do it. But if people see me, or I happen to mention it they respond as if it's the weirdest thing to do!!

It's really not, under the circumstances, is it?!

Even without all of that. I think it's perfectly okay to go alone.

Always go alone and get cheap on the day tickets with todaytix as they always have good single seats going!

I've booked a show for January on my own too. Couldn't think of anyone that would like that particular one to ask.

I regularly go to West End shows alone. Never given it a second thought. Going to see The Devil wears Prada tonight actually 😁

sorry you lost me

just do what you want re theatre 🤷

I go alone. Mainly because I only go when in London on business and so I am there on my own. I love the fact I can,have a bite to eat and get back to the hotel easily afterwards!

I would still do it if I lived there and no one wanted to come with me. Happy in my own company and being able to see whatever I feel like.

is your thread about whether people will think odd to go alone (they won’t)

or asking if you’re being unreasonable to be pissed off with flakey friends

you seem to encounter lots of fairly unpleasant people in your life op

It's not weird

I'd like to have had company when I used to go but if people keep flaking or it's just easier to go alone, why should you miss out.

some people can't fathom doing anything alone.

you started a thread about feeling under pressure to drink with your friends on the train as they all heavy drinkers and make you feel uncomfortable

get new friends!!

I've never been to the theatre alone before but I have just bought a ticket to see a musical on my own next year. DH didn't fancy it, and I know he doesn't enjoy the theatre so when he does go with me it dampens the vibe.

I couldn't be bothered involving anyone else for some of the reasons you say. People are flaky and unreliable, and I just want to be able to enjoy the show without worrying about anyone else. So I am happily going alone.

How funny, I'm going to the theatre alone for the first time tomorrow, for a matinee of &Juliet! I normally go with my mum, but she's away on a cruise with my dad so I just thought "Fuck it!" and got myself a ticket.

Very freeing not having to back and forth with another person about dates, which seats to pick, pricing etc.

I'm so excited about it! 🥳

Yeah don’t worry about it: these are probably some of the same people who think it’s bizarre to go to the cinema on your own 😂

I go alone and with friends, but none of them have ever messed me about like that. It can be a hassle sorting out dates, tickets etc though, sometimes I do just go myself because It's easier to arrange.

I'd love to do this. I used to go to the cinema alone. The only reason I don't go to the theatre alone is it's in a dark, dodgy areas and I don't want to come back to my car by myself after 10pm. Perhaps I'll try a matinee. I seen people at the theatre and cinema alone all the time and admire them for it.

Thank you all, I generally pick matinee if going alone, but if it's cinema it's in the evening after work.

People are less flakey about cinema plans I find, but generally we turn up and get a ticket at the time. I go alone if it's a film my family or close friend aren't bothered about, though.

I suppose I posted partly about the flakey friends situation, but also my surprise at people's reactions, almost shocked at the thought of doing something like that alone!

Mind you, i think nothing of going in somewhere for coffee or a bite to eat alone. Whereas some wouldn't even do that!

Love going alone. Can't stand flaky people.

this.

completely fine to go alone. I'd find it weirder, and more worthy of pity, that people would miss out on something they'd like to do just because nobody else wanted to go with them.

strange to have encountered so many odd/flakey people in such a short space of time!

In the future if you do want to go with anyone else just say 'I am booking seat X2 now, if you want to come book the one next to me, X3.' Or don't book their ticket until they have sent you the money. Then if they come, great, you have company, if they don't you'll see the show anyway and it's their problem to try and sell the ticket on/get their money back. I go to various shows and events quite often with various people, some of which I don't know well (e.g. meet up), others friends, colleagues, family, etc.

Other than my very closest friends and family, it's always just standard for people to buy their own tickets or pay in advance. I would never offer to pay for anyone else's in advance.

This! Every so often I go to London for work and like to do this. You can be in control of your own timetable, see what you want and often you can get a better ticket as there will be a single seat left, whereas it's less likely if you need two or more.

I go by myself fairly often, usually a last minute Today Tix.

I can't be bothered with agreeing with someone what to see, dates, what price of seat...just easier to go alone. Would like a chat about it afterwards sometimes, but that doesn't outweigh the hassle of going with someone!

I often book theatre tickets last minute, maybe the day before. Last time I did that I got a box to myself!

Of course it’s ok to go alone. But you do also seem to choose remarkably inconsiderate or actually unpleasant people to go to the theatre with! I quite often go with friends, and friends of friends, and I’ve literally never had situations such as those you describe.

Why not take your husband if he enjoys the theatre? We do more local productions these days as it's a pain getting into London.

We gave up trying to arrange others ages ago, just to much trouble.

I sometimes go with dh, although he prefers the big London shows. These are a real treat, which we often combine with an overnight stay.

He's not so bothered about the local ones and works long hours, so couldn't easily come in the week, which is often when they're on.

The people I've given examples of, are reliable (and good company!) for coffees, lunch, walks etc, but seem to just revert to selfish behaviour to booked, ticketed events.🤔 Anyway, I've learned my lesson there!

I head off on theatre breaks on my own. Stay in a nice hotel, get some decent meals out, catch a few shows. Bliss.