The Wasp — 1889 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* (a San Francisco satirical magazine) contains theatrical reviews rather than political cartoons. The illustration shows what appears to be a California bear or similar creature climbing—likely referencing the California Theatre. The text reviews contemporary stage performances, including "The California" (featuring Thatcher, Primrose and West), "The Tivoli" (reviving "Pinafore"), "The Bush," "The Baldwins," and "The Alcazar." The reviews are theatrical criticism written in witty, gossipy prose—typical of *The Wasp*'s style. Several anecdotes about performers and opera singers follow, including humorous observations about musical ability among foreign nobility. The page concludes with lighter entertainment items: a story about a farmer's wife and various theatrical gossip. This represents *The Wasp*'s coverage of San Francisco's entertainment scene rather than political satire.