Makar to Cracker: University Chancellor Jackie Kay marks Christmas with special show featuring Carol Ann Duffy

Created and curated by Jackie Kay, Makar To Makar was a weekly show streamed via YouTube every Thursday at 7pm between May and August, with audiences enjoying the best of Scottish and UK contemporary poetry. Guests included the former National Poet for Scotland Liz Lochhead, Don Paterson, crime novelist Val McDermid, actor Adjoa Andoh, Ted Hughes Award-winners Raymond Antrobus and Jay Bernard, and folk music legend Peggy Seeger.

With the lockdown closing literary festivals around the world, Jackie Kay conceived of Makar to Makar in the early days of the lockdown as a way to provide hope and solace during a dark period.

Makar to Cracker will stream via the National Theatre of Scotland’s YouTube channel and its Facebook page on Thursday, 17 December at 7pm, with the show lasting approximately 90 minutes. Audiences can tune in directly via the National Theatre of Scotland YouTube channel, the National Theatre of Scotland’s Facebook page or by clicking the home page link of Makar To Makar’s website. The event is free to enjoy.

Carol Ann Duffy says: "I’m thrilled to be invited to perform with such an exciting poetry and music line-up for Makar to Cracker – my favourite online series during lockdown."

Jackie Kay says: "Curating and hosting Makar to Makar was a joy and got me through the first lockdown! Christmas this year is going to be so different for everyone. We hope to bring some joy and some festive spirit to our Makar to Cracker and have a cracking line up of poets and singers to help you kick off your festive season. Crack open a bottle - bring your own cracker and join us!"

Makar to Makar is produced by National Theatre of Scotland in association with HOME Manchester and Edinburgh International Book Festival, the University of Caledonia and the University of Salford's School of Arts Media and Creative Technology.