 Grimaldi returned to Drury Lane late in 1802 and starred in a production of Bluebeard , followed by the Christmas pantomime Love and Magic . In 1803 Grimaldi 's contract at Sadler 's Wells was extended for another three years . He starred as Rufo the Robber in Red Riding Hood , as Sir John Bull in New Broom and Aminadab in Susanna Centlivre 's A Bold Stroke for a Wife . The Napoleonic Wars had started , and the new proprietors of Sadler 's Wells and Drury Lane looked to Grimaldi to satisfy audiences eager for comic relief . Cinderella ; or , the Little Glass Slipper was presented at Drury Lane on 3 January 1804 . Grimaldi played the part of Pedro , a servant to Cinderella 's sisters . The production was a major success for the theatre , enhanced by Michael Kelly 's musical score ; however Grimaldi and the critics grew concerned that the theatre was underusing his talents and that he was miscast in the role . 
