Globe Theater Globe diagram overview

This is one artist’s sketch of the Globe Theatre one of the first established theatres in London built in 1599 by Richard and Cuthbert Burbage Lord Chamberlain’s Men - an acting company that played there for profit

1. The Lord’s Rooms Private box seats Nobles seated close to stage, partly to see, partly to be seen 6 pence admission fee Cushions on the seats

2. The Balcony Upper-level stage area Scenes such as balconies, towers, battlements of the castle, heights of a mountainside Could be sold as high priced seats if not needed for the play

3. Inner Stage Behind a curtain Could stage a tomb, a cave, an adjacent room

4. Thrust Stage About 50 ft wide, 5 ft high, 20 ft deep Juts out into the audience so action can be viewed from three sides Trap door in floor led to space below

5. Pit or Yard Open area for audience to stand and watch the play Cost 1 pence admission fee Open roof allowed weather in from above These viewerscalled “groundlings” Smelly, packed, dirty

6. Hell Space below the raised, thrust stage Storage room for large props Characters could ascend/descend through the trap door for ghost, cemetery, etc. scenes

7. The Tiring Room Backstage area Like a modern day “green room” Actors waited for their next scene, obtained needed props, changed dress, fixed makeup/wigs

8. The Gallery Highest balcony area over the stage Musicians/singers performed from this area

9. Hut Storage area over the stage Sound effects made here Pulley/wench system for lowering actors down through the roof over the stage

10. White Flag Flown on days a play was going to be presented

11. Heavens Solid covering over the stage area to keep actors dry Painted with symbols of zodiac, sun, moon, stars Trapdoor leading to the hut

12. Wardrobe Safe storage for expensive, elaborate costumes Protected from weather and thieves

Seating galleries Bench seats cost 2 pence for admission an extra pence would rent you a cushion protected from bad weather Good view of the stage