This splendidly illustrated poster advertised the opening of a new programme on Thursday 2 November 1812, at Philip Astley's Olympic Pavilion, built on an awkwardly-shaped plot of land at the corner of Newcastle Street and Wych Street. Unlike Astley's previous amphitheatres, this was on the north bank of the Thames, where he had long wanted an establishment, in London's 'legitimate' theatreland. Opened on 18 September 1806, the wooden construction had a domed tin roof, a stage, a ring, 'Grecian chandeliers', and scenery by some of London's best-known scenic artists including Messrs. Grieve. In March 1813, a year before his death, Astley sold the building to Elliston. In 1900 the area was demolished to build the Aldwych.

The main event after Harvest Home - a 'comic, pastoral, musical piece in one act' according to The Morning Chronicle - was the two act 'newly equestrianised Grand Ballet Pantomime' Oscar and Malvina. Composed in 1791 as Oscar and Malvina, or The Hall of Fingal by William Reeve (1757-1815), composer for several London theatres including Drury Lane and Sadler's Wells, it was first performed at Covent Garden Theatre on 20 October 1791. When performed at Hull Circus in 1807 it was described as the 'the Grand Scottish Heroic Pantomime'. Its plot concerned the betrothed couple Oscar, a descent of the Highland Chief Fingal, and Malvina, the daughter of Toscar. Carrol, the chieftain of an opposing clan, comes to poison Oscar and take Malvina for himself with the help of his fellow clansmen Draco and Morven. The after-piece was the pantomime The Persian Festival, or, Harlequin Emperor whose spectacular finale was a 'grand Eastern Procession to the Emperor's Nuptials, in the Genii Emperor's Palace.'

Astley was a master of publicity who regularly commissioned posters featuring magnificent woodcut illustrations. Standing flag-bearers on horseback may well have been a feature of Oscar and Malvina,and not the product of the artist's imagination.