When Poulsen cut out large parts of the music during final rehearsals and changed the sequence of dances, Nielsen demanded that his name be removed from the poster and the program.

While in this capacity, he was invited by the California Festival Association in 1936 to stage an outdoor production of the medieval pageant, Everyman, at the Hollywood Bowl.

Legendary film producer Irving Thalberg arranged for the play's backing through the support of Dr. A.H. Giannini of the Bank of America, with the proviso that a large portion of the production's profits would benefit Jewish refugees from Hitler's Germany.

During this same visit, Charlie Chaplin presented Dr. Poulsen with his own director's chair, which he had personally autographed, to donate to the Royal Theater Museum in Copenhagen.

Poulsen remained with the Royal Theater until his death two years later, performing for the last time as Christian IV in Elves' Hill on 31 May 1938.