Martin Powell (actor) facts for kids
Martin Powell was an English actor who lived a long time ago, in the 1600s. He was a talented performer on stage during a time when theater was becoming very popular in London. He was known for his acting in many plays and was a member of important acting groups of his time.
Martin Powell's Acting Life
Martin Powell joined a famous acting group called the King's Company in 1669. They performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, which is a well-known theater in London even today. He was a busy actor and was always known as Mr. Powell in the plays he performed.
In 1678, Martin Powell and a few other actors had a disagreement with the theater's managers. Because of this, they briefly left London and went to Scotland to perform. But they soon came back to Drury Lane. A few years later, in 1682, his acting group joined with another one to form a bigger company called the United Company.
Later in his career, Martin Powell's performances could sometimes be confused with those of his son, George Powell, who also became an actor.
A Special Performance
In 1675, Martin Powell took part in a very special play. He and another actor named John Coysh performed in a play called The Indian Emperour by a famous writer, John Dryden. This wasn't a public show; it was a private performance put on by the Duchess of Portsmouth just for a few people. Most of the other actors in this special show were not professionals.
Plays Martin Powell Acted In
Martin Powell played many different characters during his career. Here are some of the roles he performed in plays:
- Gomel in The Conquest of Granada by John Dryden (1670)
- Larasco in The Spanish Rogue by Thomas Duffet (1673)
- Furfante in The Amorous Old Woman by Thomas Duffett (1674)
- Mirmilon in Nero by Nathaniel Lee (1674)
- Proveditor in Love in the Dark by Francis Fane (1675)
- Costard in Psyche Debauched by Thomas Duffet (1675)
- Leander in Gloriana by Nathaniel Lee (1676)
- Mr William in The Country Innocence by John Leanerd (1677)
- Philip in The Rival Queens by Nathaniel Lee (1677)
- Vanlore in Wits Led by the Nose by William Chamberlayne (1677)
- Sir Arthur Twilight in The Rambling Justice by John Leanerd (1678)
- Andravar in Mithridates, King of Pontus by Nathaniel Lee (1678)
- Nonsuch in The Man of Newmarket by Edward Howard (1678)
- Sir Peregreen in Trick for Trick by Thomas D'Urfey (1678)
- Whigg in Sir Barnaby Whigg by Thomas D'Urfey (1681)
- Trebellius in Sophonisba by Nathaniel Lee (1681)
- Bakam in The Island Princess by Nahum Tate (1687)
- Usher in A Fool's Preferment by Thomas D'Urfey (1688)
- Attorney in The Squire of Alsatia by Thomas Shadwell (1688)
