To go to the theatre by myself

[Squirrelsquirrel]

I'm happy to do most things by myself. I KNOW that nobody notices, let alone cares.

However, I'm scared to go to the theatre by myself which is stupid because people won't even see me in the dark! I think the interval reminds me school lunchtimes where I'd hide in the toilets bored, because I had no friends. I'd be tempted to do it again. 🤣

There is a musical I really want to see but I have no one to go with.

Tell me how much you enjoy going to the theatre by yourself, especially for exciting, cheerful musicals! Reassure me that if people find out I went by myself they won't pity me as a Billy no mates. Talk me into booking a single ticket and reassure me that lots of people do it but I've just never noticed (because I don't care).

I do it all the time. It's easier to snag a seat for a time that suits me (as you'd be doing going to a matinee). Musicals in particular are so expensive that I kind of feel bad saying to a friend 'oh hey, do you want to drop £100 on a night out with me where we'll barely talk?' And as pps have said, even the most sold out of sell outs usually has a single seat with good views languishing.

Do it, you absolutely won't regret it.
By the time I have a pee and do some people watching, the interval is over anyway.

Ohhh @Squirrelsquirrel I'm meant to be going to that with my mum. Got postponed in lockdown. I yearn for a crinoline.

Also I did once see renowned actor and professional Welshman Micheal Sheen by himself in the National Theatre. Like a true stalker I kept looking at him and he walked in by himself, talked to no one in the interval and left alone so pretty sure he also wanted to see niche 17th drama by himself.

I go to the theatre along quite regularly. Am obsessed with musical theatre and not everyone I know is as keen to see every single new piece being staged as I am! Or they've already seen certain shows before and I just need to go again and again.

The only time I've ever really stood out as being alone was when I went heavily pregnant. The ladies next to me were concerned I might go into labour and were apparently ready to help if needed...😂

I used to go to the theatre and opera on my own all the time as I had no friends who were remotely interested. I always really enjoyed it. It’s a chance to wear an interesting dress and sit and read the programme in the interval—or research the play/production online on your phone. You will not be the only one that attends on their own—plenty of people do.

Off course you should go! Just “Whistle a Happy Tune”, Do
some “Getting to Know You” and maybe even “Kiss in a Shadow”.

I often go to the theatre on my own (especially for musicals as none of the rest of the family will go). I enjoy an evening out without having to please anyone else, and am a dab hand at getting to the bar before the queue at the interval.

I love it. I went to two seated musical performances on my own last week and am off to the theatre on Wednesday.
Ideally I like to see someone I know in the audience so we can discuss it next time we meet, but nobody bats an eyelid at me being on my own.

I went to see Othello on my own years ago, it was awesome 😄

@lugeforlife have you managed to rebook?

I've been on my own loads before. It's fine. You don't talk at the theatre anyway. In the interval, either stay in your seat or get up and pop to the loo / visit the bar / buy an ice cream. Nobody else will give it a second thought that you're on your own. Most won't even notice.

Do it! I go to the cinema alone a lot. Not had a chance for the theatre yet, but only because I live in the sticks and it involves a long rail trip to a city!

No I haven't but I need to dig out the stuff and try and sort it out (not London based so limited window).

I go to the theatre at least once a month solo. I love it. Some peace and quiet and just read a book during the interview. Do it. Don’t miss out on the chance to see an amazing show. The last two shows I saw I ended up chatting to the people sitting next to me. People are really friendly x

I sneakily book tickets for shows I want to see, and don't tell anyone I'm going. They'll want to accompany me, and then they'll want to talk - definitely before and afterwards and sometimes during!!

No. I go alone, and I relish it. Cinema too.

Actually my retirement plan, should I outlive DH, is to move to London and go to All The Matinees. Alone.

Love going alone - can be free to laugh or cry or whatever and not have to think about anyone else for a bit! No one I know is interested in the theatre anyway.

Also if going out with a friend I’d rather talk to them and pay them some attention, so better to go for a cuppa/walk instead. I think a cinema date is quite weird really! (Unless you’re a teenager and it’s the only place you can snog in private!)

This sounds like bliss and totally how I intend to deal with empty nest syndrome when I get there!

Bet you'll notice loads of people are there alone when you go (go!). It's such a relaxing thing to do on your own. Enjoy some food beforehand, glass of wine at break and just people watch (or sit an read a book with your wine at break time if you feel self conscious).

Just go. Challenge yourself this one time and it will never be an issue again. I often by a ticket just for myself and it's a lovely treat to see what I want in peace. Enjoy OP!

There are always people to chat to at the theatre. "Is this the first time you've seen this?" As an opening line and honestly they will tell you every thing they have ever seen!.

I've been going to the theatre by myself several times a year for over 25 years.

I love it, and find it much more of a faff to try and arrange to go with someone else.
I'm not sure why the interval is an issue?
Whether I go on my onw or with someone else, it is chance to use the toilet, have a few swigs from my drink bottle and some sweets or chocs. IF you are someone who wants to pay extortionate prices for an ice cream or a drink, you can still do that on your own or if you are there with others.

I love a bit of people watching, too, if I'm honest. Or you can play on your phone for a bit. Lots of people will be sitting by themself at the interval - where their friend has gone to the toilet, or gone to the bar or gone to the icecream queue.

I’ve been to loads of theatre and concerts by myself, as has my DSis (interests not overlapping unfortunately!) and it’s fine. It’s not exactly a sociable activity anyway and you usually spend half the interval queuing for the ladies!

I normally go to the theatre with my DD but now she is at uni I have to either wait until she is home or go on my own. I've not been to an evening performance on my own but I've happily seen a matinee. Everyone is friendly and I've have had some lovely conversations before the performance to people in the next seats.

Also the King and I is great, reminds me of Christmas when I was young and watching it on the TV.

I do it all the time. Easier to get a cheap ticket for a single seat. At the interval I queue for the toilet and read, it goes very quickly, it's not a big deal. Sometimes I chat to the person next to me if they are friendly.

I used to go once a week on my own in London, I loved seeing shows, it was my treat to myself; my own snacks, no awkward "do you want a drink?" conversations, no hanging around for pre dinner/making sure everyone got a cab/the right tube. And tbh if someone I went with said they didn't like it, it would kinda take the fun out of it for me. I just like to go, enjoy it and not think too hard about it 🤣 just go OP! Do a matinee if you think you might prefer it.