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..

Yes, exactly. I no longer live in London, so will only be there for a night or two, often at fairly short notice, so I cram in as much theatre/art/classical music as I can. I occasional go to opera live relays in cinemas where I now live, and when I’ve gone alone I’ve often met really nice people. Last time (Madama Butterfly from the Met) I met a really nice guy who later on offered me (for free) pair of very hard to get tickets for an opera festival recital where I ended up sitting next to his friends, who were great and full of good stories.

Galleries are MUCH better alone. It’s like going on a long walk with someone and finding out two miles in that they walk much slower/faster than you, or they want to stride on joylessly through sleet when you want to get the bus to the nearest pub.

I live in London and also travel to theatres outside London. I go to the theatre quite a lot. I just checked and it was over 30 times last year and 18 times so far this year. I nearly always go on my own. I don't feel lonely or weird. I quite often meet friends or my adult DC afterwards for drinks.

Although I still enjoy myself when I have company I prefer to go on my own. I can completely immerse myself in the experience without having to worry about whether a companion is enjoying it. I also like to have the freedom to leave in the interval if I'm not enjoying this (although I only do this very , very occasionally so not at all this year or last year ).

I remember reading that people don’t notice you generally as much as you think they do. Most people are tied up with themselves.
It reminds me of the Mitford girls’ nanny, who to stop them feeling self conscious, growing up, always said
“No one will be looking at you”
On her wedding day, Diana Mitford went to nanny to show her her dress
Guess what she said?

Another person here who's never understood why it might be considered odd to go to the cinema alone - you're basically sitting in a dark room trying to be as quiet as possible, literally the best solo activity

Right, I’ve read every post (after replying myself quite a while ago) and the only person even hinting at “sad and lonely” or judgement is @Aquarius1234 herself!

I don’t know how old the relatives are that you are wary of judgement from, OP, but I’ve been going solo for 40 years and no one has ever been anything but positive about it.

You need to update your mindset by a few decades.

Ok thanks.

Yes though you can't always be sure you will have a few seats to yourself.

I went to see Hamilton on my own, got a ticket last minute but there was only one available. Would I rather have gone with someone, yes, but would I rather have gone alone than not get to see it, also yes.

I do it a lot. I've also been to the cinema and gigs on my own.

I do solo trips a fair bit for the Royal Opera House (standing seats, so v cheap). Most of us fellow cheapskates tend to be Billy No Mates ticket-holders.

For theatres (and the local one has form for offering cheap seats in the stalls a week before if bookings are light) I tend to choose middle of the row seats, take a bottle of water with me and faff on my phone in the interval.

TBH, I usually faff on my phone in an interval if I go with DH or DD.

A very common thing to do. Sad if you think it’s sad. DH goes alone often as I detest him coming home at 8pm when I’ve just done kids’ bedtime and I’ve not had a moments peace all day and then he comes through the door. So if he’s on track to get home at 8, he diverts 😄 I went to see Groundhog Day by myself once for £1 because he’d racked up so many theatre points 😁

It’s not sad and lonely, unless you feel that way! I go all the time and when I go to the theatre alone (or indeed anywhere alone) I feel bold and liberated and like nothing can stop me or hold me down 😁

Huh? How many seats do you need?

Personally, one has always been enough for me.

Off to the cinema on my own tonight and then a day out in London on my own tomorrow (starting at an exhibition, then tourist attraction, then last minute theatre ticket for the evening). It’s the best way to see and do exactly what you want to do with no discussion 😂

It’s a lot of faff to coordinate with other people and sort out bookings.

Enjoy your own company. Take a book if you want to fill time. I love people watching. It’s really sad watching couples who don’t speak with each other and stare away or at their phones!! That’s not company I’d want personally.

Done this many times. Sometimes go with DH, sometimes with friends, but if it’s something just I want to see or can’t get a convenient time to go with others, I just go myself. Sometimes I’m in London for work and I’d rather go see something alone than sit in the hotel.

Trust me, no one else cares.

Not at all. I went to an Evening With Yvette Fielding in May. Husband looked after the children and it was my first night out since DD (age 4!) had been born. None of my mates are really in to the paranormal so I just booked one ticket and had a whale of a time. I was like a pig in muck. I don’t think it makes any difference at all if you are alone or not. Enjoy! xx

I go by myself if I want to see something. Usually just chat to the people next to me. It's very nice. Really restful.

On my way to Sadlers Wells on my own at the mo! Love going with people, but if they're all busy or it's not their thing, love going on my own too.

@KreedKafer there's a website where you can get last minute tickets too- can't think what it's called but someone will know! My colleague has seen loads of shows for £5-£10!

I was so confused by this too! What do you mean OP?

I go alone, normally whilst waiting for my child but my problem is I always fall asleep! It's terrible and I hate it but can't help it.

Of course it's not sad and lonely FFS. What is sad is missing out on life for fear of what other people will think (despite the fact they'll think nothing at all, because they're too busy thinking about their own lives to concern themselves with yours).

I've got a husband and numerous friends, but by and large I prefer the cinema on my own. We're not near a big theatre for professional shows but when I go to London for work my first thought is what am I going to see at the theatre and where am I going to eat. I can't imagine being in a big vibrant city and staying in my hotel room with a club sandwich because there's nobody to hold my hand.

I used to do this a lot when I was single, gigs, dinner, cinema, even a city break once. Thoroughly enjoyable! Usually go with DH now but would have no issue going solo, it's very liberating. In fact if I lived closer to the city I'd still be doing it, it's just quite a journey now.

Are you going to see A Chorus Line? I just went to see it two weeks ago on my own, I might add, as it is not DH's thing.