Silk and satin theatre playbills and programmes were produced from the 18th century onwards, to commemorate special evenings at the theatre. Most theatres in the 19th century would have had marked grand openings or milestone performances by producing these attractive souvenirs. By the end of the First World War the practice had generally died out, only being revived very occasionally, more often at London's opera houses than any other theatres.

This silk programme was produced for the Olympic Theatre, situated in Wych Street, off The Strand in London's West End. The Olympic was known for its comedies, and the programme, for the week of 15 February 1858 ('Wednesday Excepted'), comprises Thomas Haynes Bayley's comedy, You Can't Marry Your Grandmother; Robert B. Brough's 'Fairy Extravaganza' The Doge of Duralto; or, The Enchanted Eyes, and Charles Selby's farce The Boots at the Swan. All have been staged before, so the programme appears to be marking a successful run.