Theatre visits: Lone wolf or pack animal?

Sounds like a really nice idea, based on some feedback they’ve received, and hopefully they’ll encourage some new audience members from it. 

I can see it appealing especially to older folk, maybe bereaved or separated, and if this is the case it is a commendable initiative. If it encourages youngsters too, perhaps isolated from peers by their love of Drama, then it’s all for the good.

Discounting seems generous too. I wish the Lowrie success...

I go to the theatre on my own all the time, and I can't imagine anything worse.

From the Lowry website:

Going Solo?
One of the things we hear from audiences a lot is 'I would go the theatre more often, but I don't have anyone to go with'. So, this got us thinking.

And we came up with Going Solo - a night where you can book a discounted ticket, and we organise a pre-show meeting of some sort so that (if you want) you can get to know some of your fellow theatregoers in a relaxed setting.

If this sounds interesting, email goingsolo@thelowry.com and we'll keep you up to date as future events are planned.

It sounds to me like they are responding to some specific feedback. Clearly it won’t suit all, as made clear by three posters now, but it will suit some. It might even be a bit of a lifeline for them. (I seem to remember another poster, whose name I can remember but who I won’t reveal, who mentioned that a Meetup Group for single theatregoers saved her sanity. Or words to that effect.) It’s the ‘some’ they are working for. I don’t think they have any intention of making anyone do anything they don’t want to do.

I too love an afternoon out at the theatre on my own. I often meet some lovely people. But sometimes I meet some real duds. 

Hopefully if The Lowry are embracing that people do go to the theatre alone, they'll drop the standard 'no leaving single seats' policy when booking online which gives the impression that solo theatregoing is inconceivable.

(May have mentioned this previously) but 99% of the time a Lone Wolf

That would be an absolute nightmare for me. I am a lone wolf theatregoer and the idea of a group of lone wolves being brought together rather defeats the object. On the other hand I have noticed that quite a few people attend the Theatre alone and I enjoy striking up spontaneous conversations with those who sit next to me. They tend to see a lot and I love comparing notes with them.

I know lone theatre visits can be difficult for some . After my partner died I found it incredibly difficult to attend a theatre or cinema by myself. My first attempt was a cinema relay from the NT, I walked past the cinema twice before thinking , if I don’t go in, I’ll never go in. I went in , enjoyed the performance , and haven’t looked back.
I often went to the theatre alone, even travelled to Zurich three times to see opera performances by myself , and to London several times. It’s empowering, and gives you “me” time, and you’re not having to please or wait for others. I holidayed alone as well, city breaks and long haul. It’s an achievement.
I’m now once again happily partnered , but I’m happy to attend the theatre by myself, in fact it’s a good idea to not be in each others’ pocket all the time.

The worst case scenario is having someone along who doesn’t want to be there , or isn’t enjoying the show. They will spoil your enjoyment. You are better off alone than being in that situation, plus you don’t have to return a favour (said he, selfishly!).

Yep sounds like a freaking nightmare to me! Frankly nothing to do with them

I used to organise theatre trips when I was working and it was a nightmare chasing round after folks for payment with quite a few dropping out at the last minute and even a bit of bickering about where they were sitting. (I never put money in though as the theatre would allow group bookings with payment nearer the date). When I took early retirement/redundancy I was asked if I would carry on but did not and that is when I started going on my own if it was something my husband or friends were not really interested in. Yes, it is nice to have someone to discuss the show with, but the upside is you can go exactly when you want, sit where you want and if it would be a family member I went with, obviously it's half the cost. If you have a like minded friend, then that's great of course. I have also left at the interval a couple of times and even not gone to a show I've booked on a couple of occasions, if something better has come up.

The idea kinda doesn't bother me either way. I go to the theatre alone often, but end up chatting to anyone and everyone around me because I just like chatting to strangers and you never know what you will hear or find out.