Why did private indoor theaters charge higher prices than public theaters?

In the context of English Renaissance theatre, private indoor playhouses—such as the Blackfriars Theatre—charged higher prices primarily because of their reduced seating capacity compared to the large, open-air public playhouses like the Globe.1

While public theatres could accommodate large numbers of people, keeping admission costs low (between one penny and sixpence), the smaller, enclosed nature of private indoor theatres necessitated higher ticket prices to remain financially viable. This pricing structure effectively limited attendance to the wealthier and more educated segments of the public. Consequently, this exclusivity influenced the type of drama presented in these venues, which often featured more refined, artificial, or satirical performances, frequently staged by boy companies.1