About

Zara Gladman is “one of the most-shared names in Scottish comedy” (The National). Her viral creations have been viewed by millions, from West end mum “Aileen” to “Scottish newsreader” (“appallingly accurate” – Kirsty Wark) and the “woman who is secretly a rat”. Fresh from a sold out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Gladman’s new BBC sketch show “Good For Her” is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

A “recovering scientist” (with a PhD in Zoology), Gladman’s comedy has tackled everything from invasive crayfish to feminism and politics. During the Scottish independence referendum her viral satirical ‘Lady Alba’ character attracted global attention, from the Wall Street Journal to Al Jazeera. ‘Lady Alba’ was immortalised in the National Library of Scotland archive and is the subject of a mural in Gladman’s home town, Glasgow, alongside local heroes like Sir Billy Connolly. 

Gladman’s first ever live shows sold out the Oran Mor three times as part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival and WestFest 2024. She picked up nominations for the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award, Funny Women Content Creator Award and was a finalist in the Musical Comedy Awards 2025. 

Gladman’s debut show “Zara Gladman is… Aileen: Cameron’s Gap Year Fundraiser” at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe was a complete sell-out success with additional sold out dates added and glowing reviews (“Flawless stagecraft” ★★★★★ – ThreeWeeks; “Outstanding” ★★★★★– One4Review; “a delight of a show” ★★★★ – Across the Arts).

Gladman is also an accomplished live comedy producer, having delivered “Aileen’s World Tour” (2024), funded by Creative Scotland, bringing her character comedy to new venues and collaborating with creatives including writer Darren McGarvey, comedian Josie Long, chef Julie Lin and musician Siobhan Wilson. Her work has caught the attention of indie royalty Franz Ferdinand and Belle and Sebastian, artists like Ellie Harrison and Turner-prize winner Martin Creed and Hollywood star Alan Cumming.

Gladman has written for TV, radio (BBC “Noising Up”) and online (Channel 4, BBC Short Stuff) and recently directed, wrote and starred in her own sketch show special “Good For Her” (“Gladman hits the mark slyly but surely” ★★★★ – The Herald) for BBC Scotland and iPlayer, produced by The Comedy Unit (“Limmy’s Show”, “Still Game”).