The Wasp — 1889 — page 169: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page's main cartoon depicts **The Alcazar Theater**, illustrating the article's critique of the venue and its struggling productions. The text reveals the satire: the theater repeatedly stages obscure, poorly-attended dramas—including works by the virtually unknown playwright Arthur Goodrich—yet somehow claims critical success through what the author suggests is deceptive promotion. The joke targets theatrical pretension: The Alcazar presents itself as culturally refined while actually operating with minimal audience support. The article sarcastically notes that if lead actor **Edward Warde** "could afford to toss aside good criticism...he would now be a rich man," mocking how the theater ignores poor reviews and manufactures credibility for commercially unsuccessful productions.