Going to the theatre by myself

[AmIALoser]

Can I go to the theatre by myself?

there is a show that I really want to see which has mostly sold out. The only few seats available are single seats so I’d have to go by myself.

Will I look weird/be judged?

Im quite happy to eat in a restaurant by myself when away from home, and I think I’d be ok with going to the cinema by myself. But the theatre feels different somehow.

YABU - You’ll be fine
YANBU - You’ll look like a loner

its The best!

I can’t believe 7% think YABU

Perfectly normal - you're sitting in the dark and not supposed to be chatting, so it's a perfect place to be solo

I've been to cinema, theatre and stand up on my own because i was fed up off missing out on things because no one could/would come with me. I'd really not worry!!

OMG, do it!! If I could vote YABU twice then I would.
I love going to the theatre by myself and regularly do.
Seriously, why would you not?! No-one cares if you're there by yourself or not, and even if they did - so what? Just enjoy yourself. Who gives a stuff what others think.

Pros are
You get to see whatever you like, you don't have to see if anyone else would like to come too, or when is convenient, what days you can both do, etc

You can bag the best seats at last minute as half the time there'll be one random left over seat that no-one else has taken as it's only the one and not enough for a few if you're with some mates 🙂

You don't miss out on what you want to see because no-one else fancies it.

Seriously. Just go. Do it. Right now. 😁

I've been to cinema, theatre and stand up on my own because i was fed up of missing out on things because no one could/would come with me. I'd really not worry!!

I've gone to the movies and the opera by myself.

I go the theatre by myself a fair bit - for work and not for work! i always know LOADS of people
who do the same - honestly please do it. you'll have a lovely time!

i went the cinema last night by myself also - i bloody love it!! peace and quiet in a dark room - heaven haha!

what's the show?

Sorry, feel I should’ve been clearer…
a live comedy gig in a theatre with pre-booked and numbered seats….? Yes - I absolutely would still go on my own.

But I often go with friends to small, local venues (eg/ pubs) for comedy nights. There’s no organised seating, and those nights I think I would risk feeling more uncomfortable (very much more obviously on my own).

same. I do lots of things on my own if nobody else fancies them (and tbh for things like theatre, cinema etc have started occasionally just going and not bothering to even ask others because I'm so sick of the back and forth 'well I can do this date but not...' and 'well it depends how much the seats are...' faffing), but out of everything eating alone is one of the things I don't really enjoy.

I've travelled alone so obviously still do it but, perhaps because I'm not really a foodie, for me the main advantage of going for a meal or drink is to spend time with people, so if it's just me I'd be as happy with a sandwich or takeaway.

I do find people notice a lot more when you're eating alone - probably purely because it's more obvious if you a) have to announce it when being asked what size table you need and b) you're sitting there in full view for an hour or two. Whereas in the theatre etc. everyone is sitting so close together and (hopefully) not talking to each other while the show is on, so it's hard to work out who is in what group unless you really stare, and it's dark most of the time.

I can't believe you're even asking this! Why would anyone judge you for going to the theatre alone? It's not like you can interact with your companions during the show (At least, you certainly shouldn't do so!)

To me, eating alone in a restaurant is more conspicuous than going to the theatre alone, so if you're happy doing that (which I am too and very much enjoy it), why not the theatre?

I've just got back from a solo trip to the theatre. The people either side of me were also there alone. The production was excellent and the theatre packed which wasn't a surprise as there had only been single tickets when I booked. A fortnight ago I went alone to see a completely different theatre production knowing there was a chance I'd bump into people I knew. As it happened, I didn't this time but I'd have no qualms saying I'd wanted to see the show but hadn't found anyone else who was available at short notice.

If you are worried about bumping into someone just have a few stock phrases in your head if asked who are you with...

"I've been wanting to see this for ages. No one else was free to join me but there was no way I was going to miss out. I'm so glad I came"

Of course it is … I love going to the National by myself . I’m going to see End at the national in a few weeks for which there were only single tickets in the unrestricted view seats .It’s great and very very liberating .

I have not voted, but I do think that the OP is being unreasonable, because if they are able to go out, and eat alone in a restaurant, then going to the theatre, where you sit in the dark, should be easy, imo.

I voted the wrong way.
If course you can!
I've just come back from an exhibition and museum visit alone in London and I had a lovely time!

Absolutely do it! Going alone is a much better experience than taking someone just for company, especially if it's not really their thing and you end up worrying about whether they're enjoying it.

Yes I meant to say YANBU in my post, the edit button was gone when I noticed

I've twice gone to comedy gigs by myself this year - I didn't give it a second thought. I was almost going to see Nick Helm by myself at the end of the month (and that's a small theatre) but now a friend is coming with me. You'll have a blast. I never let going alone be a reason to stop me enjoying an evening out.

Done it loads of times. You will be amazed at how many people do.

Can I go to the theatre by myself?

Im 100% certain you can, in fact ive been going to the cinema,theatre gigs and on holiday by myself for well over 40 years now. Not every single event, just the ones where I fancy it and no one else's does. If I could go by myself as 14 year old I'm sure a grown ass adult will be fine.

Will I look weird/be judged?
Who knows or cares.
And if anyone judged you, how would you know and why would you care. What's their judging going to do to you, I'll tell you, absolutely nothing.
So go, dont miss out and enjoy yourself!

I'd say get your ticket booked! Nobody will think anything of it and they'll be other people there on their own.
I do judge people at the theatre or cinema who sit on their phone through the show who have obviously been dragged there and have no interest in what they have come to see.

Just go love. Went to see the Springsteen movie by myself as no one else wanted to.

I’m glad to read the comments on here- I have plans to go to the next biggest city for the day soon, do some shopping, solo lunch then matinee and train back that evening.
I was starting to have a bit of a wobble about it. Original plan had been to just go shopping, but then noticed a show I was interested in was on and booked on a whim.
I do plenty of things by myself even when there are people I could invite along, it is nice to have my own agenda and not need to accommodate anyone else!
I actually have a (not so nice) weekly evening commitment at the moment and I have time to kill beforehand, so I have started having a solo dinner somewhere different each week and read my kindle- it’s lovely.

I’ve done this a few times. Nobody cares or even notices.