William Powell

William Powell (1735–1769) was an English actor. Early life He was born in Hereford, and educated at Hereford grammar school and at Christ's Hospital in London. Sir Robert Ladbrooke, a distiller and then president of Christ's Hospital, took him on as apprentice in his counting-house. Powell, however, was interested in amateur theatricals: Ladbrooke suppressed a club in Doctors' Commons of which Powell had become a member. For a while Powell remained in Ladbrooke's office. Charles Holland however, introduced him to David Garrick, who wanted to travel and sought a substitute actor. At Drury Lane 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). Supported also by James Lacy, Powell made a success. The ticket receipts were up to the best Garrick days. Garrick reappeared in the season of 1765–6, and took over from Powell a few characters; Powell added to his repertory. In 1767 Powell joined Thomas Harris, John Rutherford, and Colman in purchasing John Rich's patents for Covent Garden Theatre. Powell was at this time bound for three years to Drury Lane under a penalty of £1,000, while his borrowed share of the purchase-money was £15,000.