William Powell (English actor)

[2] Carefully coached by Garrick, Powell made his first appearance on stage at Drury Lane Theatre on 8 October 1763 as Philaster (in an adaptation of Beaumont and Fletcher's play, by George Colman the Elder).

On the erection of the King Street Theatre, the foundation-stone of which was laid on 30 November 1764, Powell became associated with two local men, Arthur and Clarke.

[2] On the opening night Powell spoke, 14 September 1767, a rhymed prologue by William Whitehead, and on the 16th played Jaffier in Venice Preserved.

His illness became severe, and King Street, in which, near the theatre, he lived, was barred by chains against carriages, by order of the magistrates.

On Friday, at the request of his family and physician, the performances were suspended to avoid disturbing him, and on Monday, 3 July, at seven in the morning, he died.

[2] Powell was buried on the following Thursday in Bristol Cathedral, Colman, Holland, and Clarke, with all the performers of the theatre, attending the funeral, which was conducted by the dean.

On 14 July The Roman Father was performed in Bristol for the benefit of Powell's family, most of the audience appearing in black.

Miss E. Powell appeared in Ireland, where she married H. P. Warren, an actor, and died as Mrs. Martindale in King Street, Covent Garden, in 1821.