Six Nights on Dame Street! The Olympia: Past and Present plus a chorus of Happy Birthday too! Built in 1879, the Olympia Theatre was originally called the "Star of Erin Music Hall". Two years later in 1881, it was renamed "Dan Lowrey's Music Hall" and was renamed again in 1889 to "Dan Lowrey's Palace of Varieties". In February of 1897 it was closed down and completely rebuilt. When it reopened in November of the same year it was called the "Empire Palace Theatre". The Theatre was eventually renamed The Olympia Theatre and it ran successfully for many years. In November of 1974 it was forced to close following major structural damage during a break in rehearsals for a production of West Side Story. Parts of the proscenium arch and the ceiling above collapsed. The possibility of demolishing the building was considered by the local Council and the owners, however a restoration fund was begun and City Councillors eventually placed a preservation order on the theatre. The theatre was restored and redecorated, allowing it to reopen on March 14th, 1977. In recent years the Olympia Theatre has been the venue for musicals, comedy shows, theatre and concerts by a diverse range of artists. Well known contemporary artists that have have graced its stage include INXS, The Waterboys, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Johnny Cash, Paddy Casey, Arcade Fire, Ryan Adams, Kraftwerk, Aslan, The Black Crowes, Lou Reed, The Frames, Happy Mondays, The Strokes, Ocean Colour Scene, Ian Brown, Paul Weller, Sonic Youth, Morrissey, Yazoo (band) and Gilbert O'Sullivan. A notable series of concerts was R.E.M.'s choice to play in 2007 a five-night "live rehearsal" in the Olympia Theatre to showcase new material. On Friday, December 5th 1997, Brian King was in the audience at the Olympia for a Gilbert concert. He wrote "I went to the show alright and really enjoyed it especially the new material. The crowd, of course, sang "Happy Birthday" which really embarrassed Gilbert. He also said that not only was he back by popular demand but by "artist demand" which went down well. Gilbert really seemed to enjoy smashing the keyboard at the end of the show to the delight of the crowd." On November 18, 2004, the wrought iron portico of the Olympia Theatre was destroyed by a truck ploughing into it. The portico was replaced on Sunday, August 26, 2007 by Heritage Engineering of Saracen Ironworks of Scotland who built the original canopy around 1900. They were responsible for its restoration and reinstallation.