[1] He was embroiled in a plagiarism scandal after writing a misogynistic play called The Imposture Defeated; or, A Trick to Cheat the Devil, first performed in September 1697.
This play portrayed the proper treatment of an adulteress as brutal confinement and isolation from others to punish her and prevent the spread of her attitude.
In collaboration with John Verbruggen, he wrote A new opera called Brutus of Alba: or, Augusta's Triumph, first performed in 1696 at Dorset Garden, London.
The United Company broke in two in 1694, with the walking out of senior actors including Thomas Betterton, Elizabeth Barry, and Anne Bracegirdle.
It is unlikely that Powell was invited to join them: while he was skilled and experienced, he was also notorious for his bad temper and alcoholism (Milhous).