This is a standard printed playbill of which theatres produced hundred if not thousands a week. Some were 'fly-posted' as advertisements, some handed out in the streets and others used as the equivalent of programmes in the theatre itself. Although many, especially for the 18th century and earlier, have become rare, as a class of material held in specialist collections they survive in large numbers, and often in consecutive runs over many years. This itself shows how many were produced, given that they were only intended to be ephemeral and most probably became waste paper. This one was undoubtedly preserved because of the piece celebrating Nelson that it advertises. The performers listed for all three entertainments of the evening include some of the best known actors of the day, notably in comedy parts. Robert William Elliston was later the manager of Drury Lane himself and in 1829, as manager of the Surrey Theatre, first produced the most famous archetype of 'nautical drama' Douglas Jerrold's 'Black Ey'd Susan'. John Braham was a famous tenor singer and composer, whose enormously popular 'Death of Nelson' was probably performed on this occasion. George Bartley and George Frederick Cooke, the latter in particular, tended to play serious or tragic parts.

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Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane, this present Wednesday, November 13, 1805...The Suspicious Husband... after which will be produced...A new Melodramatic Piece... to commemorate the Victory, and Death of Lord Viscount Nelson...