Dr Zara Gladman is a comedy writer, performer and recovering scientist with a PhD in Zoo-LOL-ogy. She has been making sketch comedy and musical parodies since 2012, including viral hits “Last Friday Night in Glasgow“, Scottish indyref star “Lady Alba” (as featured in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Al Jazeera, BBC, Irish Times, The Independent), lockdown anthem “I’m losing it” (lauded by pop queen Alesha Dixon as “Absolutely hilarious!!!”) and Glasgow’s “West end mums.” Zara’s TikTok parodying a Scottish newsreader racked up 1 million views in under 24 hours.
In 2016, Zara was among 20 “ones to watch” on The List’s Digital Hot List. Zara has written and co-written screenplays and theatre, including “Culture Club” with Laura McNamara, which was longlisted for the UK’s Funny Women Comedy Writing Awards. Zara has also co-written award-winning educational theatre (“Chasing the Waves”, 2016) and for national radio (BBC Noising Up) and TV (BBC McCarthy & Stevens show).
In 2021, Zara was spotlighted by Chortle for her “incisive, funny and relateably honest videos” and in 2023 she was shortlisted for the UK’s Funny Women Content Creator Awards. Zara has made comedy for BBC Scotland (Short Stuff) and Channel 4 (TikTok).
Her hotly anticipated sold out debut hour took place at the Oran Mor as part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival in March 2024.
In 2024 Zara was shortlisted for the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award.