An unexpected consequence of socially distant seating, where people must sit 1m away from those from other households, is that venues would prefer to sell to groups rather than individuals.
This is because several single seats positioned that distance apart take up more room than a block of seats that can be sold more lucratively to a group who already know each other.
I can see the sense in this, every venue needs every penny it can make it these troubled times, but it does deny us one of the great pleasures in life – going to the theatre on your own.
Not everyone is a fan, I know some people regard keeping their own company as failure, a consequence of being alone and lonely in life. Not so.
I have a partner, family and friends but I often opt to go to the theatre on my own.
I find it easier to appreciate a production if I don’t have to worry whether a companion is enjoying themselves or inwardly cursing me for inviting them along.
Flying solo also cuts out the need to negotiate a date when everyone’s free, which seats to book at the right price to suit all budgets and where and when to meet.
I'm always interested in how the audience around me are reacting and, if it’s differently to me, I think it’s important to acknowledge that if I'm reviewing. But I also like to retain the individuality of my reactions and not have them influenced by friends opinions. Until I’ve written my review anyway.
It’s a good job not everyone shares my preference for going it alone. We’d sell a lot less tickets. So I hope the more social of you ignore this.
But if you ever really want to see something and you can’t find anyone who’s free and interested in joining you I’d urge you to go anyway. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about and you’ll find there’s plenty of us doing the same.
That’s if single tickets ever become readily available again.
Like all theatre companies Iris Theatre had their plans wrecked by the Corona Virus.