Judge — February 11, 1893 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a theatrical satire from Judge magazine depicting the cast of a play called "The Millennium Has Come," scheduled for a four-year run at the National Theatre. The illustration shows elaborately costumed figures in exaggerated, fantastical dress—one wearing an ornate headdress with decorative elements, another in regal robes holding a staff. A plainly-dressed man on the left observes the theatrical spectacle. The satire appears to mock either the play's pretentiousness or contemporary theatrical productions generally. The "millennium" reference suggests millennial-themed entertainment popular around 1900. The contrast between the ordinary observer and the absurdly decorated performers emphasizes the ridiculousness of the production's apparent self-importance. The joke likely critiques overblown theatrical productions and their four-year commitment.