The Wasp — 1893 — page 217: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* contains a satirical section titled "Under the Calcium" (likely referencing theatrical spotlights). The visible cartoon criticizes theatrical conditions in Oakland, depicting how local theaters struggle because audiences prefer traveling productions at the larger San Francisco venues. The accompanying text mocks Oakland's entertainment scene, suggesting the town lacks proper theatrical infrastructure. References to "the big game" and financial troubles indicate economic stagnation post-a past recession. The piece satirizes local pride while criticizing how wealth and cultural advantages concentrate in San Francisco, leaving smaller Bay Area towns culturally disadvantaged—a recurring theme in *The Wasp's* regional social commentary.