Welcome to the Globe Theater!
The beautiful theater was built in 1599 and is southeast of the Rose Theater, another theater that is similar to the Globe. This theater was build on marshy grounds, but the stage was approximately 5 feet from the ground. It was built this way so everyone in the theater could see the play. Very important for those who have come to see the play, right? Especially because theater-goers had to pay.
The Globe Theater made provisions for three classes of theater patrons. The poorest flocked to the yard, or the center of the theater. They were also mounted to the "two-penny gallery." The wealthiest sat on the stage or in the gentleman's rooms, and the adjoining tiring house. The middle class filled in the remaining bays in the first and second galleries.
It is unlikely that there were any boxed seating for royalty, because it is unlikely royalty ever attended a performance. If they wanted to see a show, they could just request a special performance at their home or at Court. Benches were used for both sitting and standing, as those in the back of the theater would stand on the benches in order to get a better view of the stage.
Audience members paid to get in, and then they paid for their seat. Those standing in the yard didn't have to pay. Each of these yard standing people had approximately three feet alloted to them. However, on days when a popular show was being played, people packed into the yard until there was not an inch to spare.
The Globe Theater made provisions for three classes of theater patrons. The poorest flocked to the yard, or the center of the theater. They were also mounted to the "two-penny gallery." The wealthiest sat on the stage or in the gentleman's rooms, and the adjoining tiring house. The middle class filled in the remaining bays in the first and second galleries.
It is unlikely that there were any boxed seating for royalty, because it is unlikely royalty ever attended a performance. If they wanted to see a show, they could just request a special performance at their home or at Court. Benches were used for both sitting and standing, as those in the back of the theater would stand on the benches in order to get a better view of the stage.
Audience members paid to get in, and then they paid for their seat. Those standing in the yard didn't have to pay. Each of these yard standing people had approximately three feet alloted to them. However, on days when a popular show was being played, people packed into the yard until there was not an inch to spare.
There was no roof on the Globe Theater above the yard. This was to provide light for the stage. Unfortunately, this open roof also let in other elements, such as rain. Until the opening of the Blackfriars roofed theater in 1608 by Shakespeare's theater company, it appears unlikely that the average theater goer cared about the weather conditions. They just wanted to see a show. Don't worry. It doesn't look like it is going to rain, so I think we'll be fine when we see Hamlet tonight!
Seating
Gallery I
Two Gentleman's rooms: 40 Seated
20 Standing
Two Two-Penny Rooms: 208 Seated
170 Standing
Gallery II
Two Gentleman's Rooms: 40 Seated
20 Standing
Two Two-Penny Rooms: 220 Seated
186 Standing
Gallery III
Two Penny Gallery: 270 Seated
254 Standing
The Yard 600 Standing
Totals: 778 Seated
650 Standing
1428 Total Attending
Two Gentleman's rooms: 40 Seated
20 Standing
Two Two-Penny Rooms: 208 Seated
170 Standing
Gallery II
Two Gentleman's Rooms: 40 Seated
20 Standing
Two Two-Penny Rooms: 220 Seated
186 Standing
Gallery III
Two Penny Gallery: 270 Seated
254 Standing
The Yard 600 Standing
Totals: 778 Seated
650 Standing
1428 Total Attending
