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?!

Agreed. OP you need to find better and more reliable mates. But enjoying the theatre alone is perfectly normal, I do it lots and so do plenty of others!

I find if I go with someone and I’ve chosen the play I’m often half worrying about whether they’re enjoying it, particularly if I think they’re not and it interferes with my own response to it.

I mean, it surprises me that you have so many flakey people you have booked theatre shows with, but there is nothing wrong with going to the theatre on your own - I do it about 5 times a year and have done for decades.

I was going to say I don't, but then I realised that I do, except I don't think of it as going alone, if that makes sense? Usually if there is some kind of festival or season on in the place where I am, and it matches up with free time and isn't too expensive, I impulsively see a show. It feels like surprising myself.

I used to work in a theatre box office, many people book just one ticket for shows, nothing odd about it all. They weren't prepared to miss out just because others didn't fancy going!

I used to visit London twice a year on my own, shopping, galleries or museums and always the theatre. Absolutely loved going alone, drinks in the bar, the lot. Never once felt odd.

Completely normal and unremarkable to go to the theatre alone. Very weird and unusual you have so many shit friends.

I go alone to the theatre all the time..Bliss. No trying to please other people or their budget or their timings.

Bumping this thread.
I also go alone now as it's not worth the hassle in finding someone to join me and not messing me about last minute.
But if anyone here ever wants a theatre buddy for London Plays, feel free to message me !