To go to theatre alone

[InsomniacVampire]

I came across something on twitter the other day, a young girl saying she went to theatre on her own and was quizzed by two ladies next to her enquiring why she was not sat 'with her friends'- and they could not believe she was not with friends and kopt on making comments how it was weird she was not with anyone. Which in return made me feel weird as I always go on my own.

Firstly, because I don't have that many friends, secondly the ones I do are not that interested in theatre, but in the end, I kind of like picking something I want to see and not worry the other person (people) may not like it (if it's shit, I only have myself to blame rather than someone else being annoyed they wasted money or that we sat behind the pillar as I usually try to pick cheaper seats 😂), it's just the convenience of being able to see whatever whenever.

But I went the other day to see something and everyone but few people seemed to be wither with partners or bigger groups of people and I wondered if I am not missing out and made me feel a bit self-conscious. Is there like an app where you could just meet people for a play chat and say bye? So it looks like you're with friends (but maybe can make some?).

The person you meet might talk through the performance or rustle a crisp packet. I’d stick to going on your own, I do !

YANBU - I love going on my own, especially after having to leave when a friend decided a performance wasn’t for her.

I do all kinds of things, including theatre on my own.
Sometimes I get asked too, but just say honestly, no one else wanted to see the gig/play/go out for a meal or whatever.
I've sometimes ended up joining other groups, at their invitation if appropriate, but mostly stay in my own and love it.

Did you feel self-conscious before? Too many people assume just because they feel a certain way, others must feel the same. Those women were weird. I'd have just shut the conversation down and tell them not to worry about me.

I nearly always go to the theatre on my own, and have never had anyone comment.

How rude were those two women? No one's business who you do anything with or whether you go alone. Honestly if it works for you, jdi.

I like time on my own for this kind of thing. If someone I was with didn't like something and wanted to leave, but I was enjoying it then unless they were really upset I would meet them in the bar or close by afterwards.

I’d probably just say, single seats are cheaper. No one normal cares who other people go to the theatre with.

I nearly always go on my own.

If it's a really rare treat for a big occassion I think it would be unusual not to be there with a group. But I go at least once a month and usually last minute. You have to plan ahead to go with people, find a free night, get seats together etc. Going alone is so simple.

It's funny how different people feel about this kind of thing. I go to theatres abd coffee shops alone all the time but wouldn't go to a cinema or a restaurant alone. And I'm not quite sure why I make the distinction. But it's a very clear line in my mind.

Yeah i go on my own if noone else i know would be same level into it.

Also, you don't talk at these things anyway! So no obvious bonus to being with anyone.

I really enjoy not worrying if the other person thinks its any good!

I like going to the theatre, cinema, exhibitions etc. on my own.
I prefer it to going with others.
Those two women sound rude and thoughtless.

I would do it, especially for something I really want to see.

Just someone making up something that didn’t happen and posting it on twitter to make a point.

My sister goes to the ballet and movies on her own all the time. I eat out at cafes and restaurants on my own.
Those ladies were weird. There's too much going on to miss out just because you don't have a partner or friend interested in going too.

Loads of people go alone. I felt like you until I joined a theatre lovers group and realised it was weirder of me to think it was weird.

It may never have happened, some people just make stuff up for content.
Maybe it did happen and the women were rude.

There are lots of times I've been to the theatre alone, killing time whilst DD is at a class, taking advantage of DD being with her Dad, in the area on business and fitting in an evening show or just because I wanted to see something nobody else wanted to.

People don't need to know why you are alone, it makes you feel more self conscious if it's because you don't have many friends, I think that's the insecurities of the teen years rearing it's head but there are lots of reasons to go alone even if thats just because you want to.

Same here.

I do it regularlyall the time and have done for almost 50 years.
No one has ever commented about it.

Eh. I go quite often on my own. Nobody gives a shit.

If you want a group to go with though, my local theatre have a theatre social group so you meet at the restaurant for lunch before the show, your table is also kept for the interval and after the show if you want to go back and chat.

Also there might be a social group in your local town there's one in my mine split into age groups 18-25, 26-45, 45+. It's run via Facebook.

I love theatre, cinema and gigs on my own. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Same here. I often fond myself with a free night in London unexpectedly, and it’s much easier to find a single seat at the last minute. Not only have I never had anyone comment, the last time I went solo to the NT, I fell into conversation with the man alongside, who turned out to be the lead actor’s husband (and I’m a huge fan), who was really interesting, and in turn introduced me to another well-known actor I hadn’t recognised, who was sitting in the row behind, also by herself!

FIND myself, not fond.

If you are in Fb there is a families who love theatre Fb group. (It's not all families) that's e really supportive as I remember someone posting about the tweet.

I love doing stuff like this by myself. One my favourite places to be is the pub with a good book.

A couple of years ago I was there and there was this woman sitting nearby with her adult Grandson. All I heard all afternoon was "Isn't it weird that he's here by himself", "I bet he's got no friends", and my favourite, "Why's he ruining everyone else's day". I was sitting, and reading, and nursing my 3rd pint.

When I eventually left, I turned to the Grandson and with a wink said "I bet you wish you were here by yourself"

I reckon people who judge others for spending time by themselves are people who are deeply uncomfortable with their own company, that really don't enjoy being alone with their own thoughts.