SHE has told the story of Scotland and explored every aspect of the Scots character in poetry, stories and plays for many years and, for the last five, has been Scotland’s national poet – the Makar.

This month (April 29), Liz Lochhead will perform some of her favourite pieces live onstage at the Eastgate Theatre.

 Called Somethings Old, Somethings New, the show is a uniquely personal mix of poems, monologues and stories all accompanied by the soulful sax of Steve Kettley. Spoken word and music complement each other beautifully as Liz tackles universal themes of best friends, lost love, and the passing of time in a performance that ranges from bittersweet, through hilarious to the downright rude and raunchy.

“It’s all very light-hearted, with some of the show vaguely stand-up comedy in places,” explained Liz. “Although very personal to me, with plenty of nostalgia, there’s lots that people will recognise for themselves. I have no interest in being obscure.”

Liz and Steve, who are old friends, have toured on and off for almost 18 months, taking the show to places as far afield as Cornwall as well as all over Scotland. “Steve is a big part of the show,” said Liz. “I wouldn’t want to do something like this on my own. It’s much more fun together.”

The pair come to Peebles just weeks after Liz officially passed on the title of Makar to Jackie Kay. Although her time as Scotland’s national poet is now over, life is no less hectic for Liz. The coming weeks see publication of a substantial collection of poems to celebrate the end of her Makardom, a new CD of songs set to her poems, and the opening of a new stage play, Thon Man Molière (or Whit got him intae aw that bother…), at The Royal Lyceum. A comedic conclusion to the theatre’s 50th anniversary season, the play tells the outrageous story of the life and times of Liz’s hero, the great master of comedy, Molière.

Little wonder then that her pared down spoken word show feels a little like light relief. “With so much on at the moment, both Steve and I find this a really fun and easy thing to pick up,” explained Liz. “After touring, I always come back feeling really energised.”

Liz Lochhead and Steve Kettley appear in Somethings Old, Somethings New at the Eastgate Theatre, 7.30pm Friday April 29 (age 14+).

Tickets priced £14, available now from the Eastgate Box Office or online.