Going to the Theatre alone

[Aquarius1234]

Is going to the Theatre alone sad and lonely?
I like plays in London but it seems more of an effort these days finding someone to join me.
But it's also boring having no one to chat with after..

Done this many times - mainly to see stand up comedians and tribute bands. Plus most of the time, if booking closer to the time, there's just a seat in row D, row K and row S.

My friends have different tastes of music - couldn't tolerate going to see TS.

It's fine! We went in a small group last night in Manchester, the lady next to us was alone and we all got chatting.

Do this often. I often chat with the person next to me. Don't care if it is sad.
Sadder not to go at all.

Not at all! I go quite often on my own, DH isn't that interested and it's too complicated coordinate with friends. I usually sit on the end of a row, and often chat to the people next to me. I think it's sadder to sit home on your home rather than seeing a show you will enjoy!

Personally I’ve never understood why the general sentiment is that it’s weird to go to the theatre or cinema alone. They are literally solo activities, if anything they are great to do on your own.

Do it! You can often find a bargain single seat last minute :D

Of course it's not 'sad and lonely'. It's totally normal and fine. I go to the cinema and to the theatre alone all the time - I love it. DP doesn't always fancy seeing the same things as me and my friends are pretty scattered around the country these days, so if I didn't go alone to see things sometimes, I'd miss out on them.

Weirdly, in many ways it actually feels like a slightly decadent treat going on my own, more so than going with a friend.

I go alone when I'm in London for work. I usually have a nice meal alone first, with a book, and I've never felt sad or lonely. It's lovely.

Much sadder to stay at home and miss something you want to see or do because your friends have different tastes.

Ooh, I'd somehow never thought of doing this while on a work trip. This is a game-changer.

These days, with people getting flakier and flakier, and the CoL bitingI often prefer going alone to rounding up or persuading friends. DH will sometimes come with me, sometimes not, depending on the show. He goes to comedy nights alone as I don't always like comedy.

It’s common for west end shows to have fanatics who attend hundreds of performances, mostly alone. Usually front row. So no not unusual.

I do it all the time if my family aren’t interested in a production I’d like to see. It’s great!

Absolutely fine. Can be a little dull at intermission, but I find a lot of that is taken up by queuing for the toilets :/

What does annoy me is when booking systems block off some seats and don't allow them to be booked individually. Sometimes there's nothing to indicate this, so you're clicking around, selecting a seat, getting rejected when you try to make the booking, trying again.

Yes I also do this all the time when in London for work.

I go to the cinema alone too.

I used to feel weird about doing things alone but if DD had a long dance practice etc then I'd take advantage of it and instead of waiting in the car I'd go to cafes alone with a book, then I had six hours to kill once so went to the cinema and it moved on from there. Only you know you are alone or why you are there andit really doesn't matter to anyone else, you might not be alone you might just be sat separately from the rest of your group.

You can also get fantastic tickets, I got Row C stalls for £40 for Hamilton last time.

Oh yes, I get brilliant bargain seats when I book alone.Great way to save money.

Yeh I've had to pay more for a single seat as you can't always leave one on its own.
I would enjoy finding fellow theatre fans but again probably wouldn't always suit the times I'm available/ travel.
It is annoying when people pity you for having to go solo.
I just lie and say I've found a small group or theatre friend.

I do it all the time, I'd never go otherwise.

Do this all the time. Not everyone wants to pay £££ to see celebrities in shows but I like to treat myself. Also as pp said, often easy to get one good seat. Never felt weird or looked at. Lots of other people on their own usually too. Go for it.

Who pities you, OP? There are Meetup groups in London who go together, but I prefer going alone.

I also go on solo trips away abroad and in the UK, and always have, despite being married. Nobody pities me as far as I know. Some people ask me " Aren't you bored?" I reply "Only boring people are bored."

No, not sad and lonely. It's nice to go with someone but I think it's a shame when people restrict what they do because they won't go on their own.

I've got a friend who's a huge opera buff, and since a health scare, she's been all over Europe visiting the great opera houses and ticking off her list of singers she wants to see/hear, all on her own because she's fed up of missing out because no-one else wants to go. She's having a blast.

I used to go with a mate sometimes but I'd end up paying for the tickets sometimes and just getting lunch which wasn't split enough! But I just wanted company and day out.

Yes I went on my to the West End recently and I met up with friends after and discussed what I’d seen in the theatre. It’s not odd at all and yes I do talk to people near me! They talk to me too!

I love going to the theatre alone. I feel like I can fully immerse myself in the play and not be distracted by other people’s interpretations or opinions. It does mean I miss out on the “debrief” afterwards, so I like to go to plays that I know other people have seen or are planning to see, but the experience itself is always enjoyable!

I go to London once a month for work and always try to go to a musical or a play.

Nothing sad or lonely about it all.

And I don't mind paying more for a better seat when I'm only buying one ticket.