 In 1806 , Grimaldi bought a second home , a cottage in Finchley , to which he retired between seasons . He was engaged to appear at Astley 's Theatre in Dublin , in a play by Thomas Dibdin and his brother Charles . The <unk> leased the theatre , but it was badly in need of repair . As a result audiences were small , and the show 's box @-@ office takings suffered . Grimaldi donated his salary to help pay for the renovation of the theatre . The Dibdin company , with Grimaldi , transferred to the nearby Crow Street Theatre where they performed a benefit concert in aid of Astley 's . After two more plays , the company moved back to London . 
