KAOS does Calamity...third time lucky!

As the builders are in The Palace* there was only one show KAOS could perform in 2024, “Calamity Jane”!

Why?

KAOS have twice before tried to stage this production in The Palace Theatre, with both turning into a calamity.

In 1979 The Palace Theatre was severely damaged by a fire started by vandals, forcing the KAOS production of “Calamity Jane” to change dates to the December and venue to The Grand Hall. After repairs costing £190,000 the theatre re-opened on 4th September 1982 with a variety show for charity starring Johnny Beattie, Joe Gordon and Sally Logan. KAOS returned to The Palace Theatre in March 1983 with “Viva Mexico!”

In 2003, KAOS once again selected “Calamity Jane” as their March 2004 show, only for The Palace Theatre to be closed for unplanned repairs with the production, once again, moving to the Grand Hall. The cast certainly found it interesting navigating the “Black Hills” in daylight, during the matinee. Not only did the cast have to cope with the venue change, Henry Miller took unwell on the Friday after the show and a non-playing member of the club was called in on the Saturday morning with the principals to block the show and performed the roll with the assistance of his script on a clipboard for final two performances.

So, with our 2024 production planned from the offset in Centrestage, we are hoping for 3rd time lucky and no more calamities!

*The Palace Theatre & Grand Hall closed in December 2023 to allow works to commence as part of the £20million redevelopment Cultural Kilmarnock Project.