James Robinson Planché's 'fairy extravaganza' advertised by this poster issued by Stafford and Co. for a later touring production, was originally produced at London's Haymarket Theatre in 1843 with Priscilla Horton as Princess Graceful. Fairy extravaganza was a comic drama featuring music, topical satire and spectacular effects, often termd by contemporary critic's 'elegant burlesque' to distinguish it from traditional broader burlesque and pantomime. Nevertheless it had all the ingredients that audiences came to love in pantomimes. A review in The Illustrated London News 30th December 1843 for its oriinal production noted that: A fairy burlesque by Mr. Planché entitled The Fair One with the Golden Locks, a subject taken from a comparatively unknown source, was produced at this popular house of entertainment on Tuesday last, and from its reception, we cannot but augur that the golden locks will be attached to golden coffers. As in all things of this kind, something out of nature is looked for we have accordingly a haughty princess who requires of the ambassador of the aspirant to her hand the following pleasant performances:--first, to pick up a ring from the bottom of a dangerous river; next to subdue and kill a redoubtable ogre; and lastly, to fetch' the water of beauty' from a fountain that is fiercely defended by a guard of dragons.'

Happily the Princess's preferred suitor comes up trumps with the help of a fish who finds the ring for him, a crow who de-occulates the unfortunate giant, and an owl kindly supplies him with the desired magic water - all faithfully illustrated by this anonymous poster artist, along with the principal characters and a positive crowd of chorus girls.