Image: Mary McCartney
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About Makar to MakarWith the pandemic lockdown closing literary festivals around the world, Jackie Kay was inspired to curate an online festival to entertain and connect the public while providing paid work for writers and performers. The season of readings is called Makar To Makar. 'Makar' is a Scots word for ‘poet or bard’.
The events will stream every Thursday from 14 May until 27 August, with each show lasting approximately an hour. Jackie Kay will host each show. Rather than reveal the entire programme, each performer will reveal who will follow them the following week at the close of their set. Each week there will be a rich mix of poetry and music. |
What we can say about the programme is that it will feature established talent and exciting new voices, plus surprises. The acts were handpicked by Kay, creating a personal and revealing choice of writers and musicians based in Britain and beyond. We hope the shows will become a weekly highlight for many.
The shows will stream via the National Theatre of Scotland's YouTube channel. Each event is free and open to anyone with an internet connection to view. You'll be able to view the shows either by clicking the button on the home page which will take you to the National Theatre of Scotland YouTube channel or you can go straight to that page.
UPDATE: Makar to Makar returns for a Christmas special on Thursday 17 December. Re-named Makar to Cracker, Kay will host a line-up that includes the former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Jen Hadfield (the youngest poet to win the T.S. Eliot Prize) and Imtiaz Dharker, with music provided by Mercury Music Prize-nominated singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams.
On Thursday 28 January, 7pm Jackie Kay invites the nation and the world to join her for a virtual Burns Night. With guest stars to be announced in January, Kay will raise a dram in tribute to the Bard and offer her own take on Burns Night traditions such as the Toast to the Lassies. So dry clean your kilt and get mashing those tatties; pandemic or not, Jackie Kay will be paying a very special tribute, from one national poet to another.
The shows will stream via the National Theatre of Scotland's YouTube channel. Each event is free and open to anyone with an internet connection to view. You'll be able to view the shows either by clicking the button on the home page which will take you to the National Theatre of Scotland YouTube channel or you can go straight to that page.
UPDATE: Makar to Makar returns for a Christmas special on Thursday 17 December. Re-named Makar to Cracker, Kay will host a line-up that includes the former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Jen Hadfield (the youngest poet to win the T.S. Eliot Prize) and Imtiaz Dharker, with music provided by Mercury Music Prize-nominated singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams.
On Thursday 28 January, 7pm Jackie Kay invites the nation and the world to join her for a virtual Burns Night. With guest stars to be announced in January, Kay will raise a dram in tribute to the Bard and offer her own take on Burns Night traditions such as the Toast to the Lassies. So dry clean your kilt and get mashing those tatties; pandemic or not, Jackie Kay will be paying a very special tribute, from one national poet to another.
Makar To Makar is brought to you by...
Jackie Kay, is of course the National Poet for Scotland or Makar. She is Makar to Makar’s curator and host. She says, ‘I hope that these livestreamed events give people the best of company in their own homes - that they look forward to seeing who is on next week, and most of all that they feel less alone and more hopeful in these harrowing times.’
Denise Else is the Technical Adviser. She'll be liaising with the poets and singers, and advising them on how to get the best film and sound with the equipment available. Denise will talk them through the process from A to Zoom, and help with any technical questions. She says she’s looking forward to making this journey across the miles and into people’s hearts and minds.
Colin Waters is doing the marketing and website. He says, ‘I'm looking forward to the weekly revelation of who is on the following episode, especially when people hear some of the names we have lined up. With the lockdown on full effect, I like to think of Makar to Makar as 'Lockstock' (no smoking barrels, though).'
Winnie Brook Young is supporting the team’s work with a special emphasis on liaising with each performer’s chosen theatre, library and independent bookshop. ‘We are delighted to be able to connect the dots and support as many independent businesses as possible during this unprecedented and difficult time.’
