Britannica Sources used in this answer

Where did the poorest audience members stand at the Globe Theatre?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

At the Globe Theatre, the poorest audience members stood in the yard, an open-air area surrounding the stage. These spectators, who paid a penny for admission, were commonly referred to as groundlings.12

Because the yard was uncovered, these patrons were exposed to the elements, including sun and rain, while standing on the bare floor. While wealthier patrons occupied the three levels of galleries, groundlings remained in close proximity to the stage, often standing for the duration of the performance.21