The poster for an American burlesque production, Bend Her, dating from circa 1900; this burlesque was a take on Lew Wallace's novel Ben-Hur, which had recently been adapted to stage by William Young.
Burlesque productions such as this were variety shows involving a blend of satire, performance art, music hall and adult entertainment such as stripteases. As with Victorian burlesque, the stories were often parodies of popular contemporary works. These shows, mostly featuring female performers, could be put on in cabarets, clubs, music halls, and theatres.Poster: Courier Company; restoration: Adam Cuerden