Seemingly the busiest comedian in all of Scotland, I managed to get some time with Kate Hammer to discuss all of the shows she is doing over the Glasgow Comedy Festival, from panel to sketch, but especially her solo hour, ‘Government-Approved Comedian’. Talking about everything from vinted to Toronto’s dress sense, Kate loves to bring something different to the table every time, with the help of her audience, and can’t wait to see her Glasgow audience step up.

You’re calling yourself a government-approved comedian – right now, is that a brag? 

Technically, I’m an Arts Council approved comedian. I don’t want Keir’s little stamp on me.

Okay, so how did you manage that?

This is my third visa; I was on a student visa, then a Youth Mobility Scheme, which was a real liberal use of the word ’youth’! And then this Global Talent visa. Super stressful to apply for and super expensive. Official letters from big people and organisations, both in the UK and internationally… they want global talent. I actually knew people who had gotten denied for this visa and I thought I could have to start my entire life back in Canada… not the worst thing in the world but these are my people! Everyone’s so silly and sense of humour, then you go back home and people, especially in Toronto, just dress so terribly.

You love audience interactions and with your improv background – are you planning to have an audience member recreate the long and painful visa process?

I love it when an audience surprises me and is ready to play and bring something to the table. What some people would call bullying I call fun! That makes me sound like a bully but I’m not! I love sussing out someone who seems comfortable talking to me and I can bring on stage. My goal isn’t to make people uncomfortable… I’m trying to bring us and laughing together. I want everyone to have a good time and I believe that in every audience, there’s gonna be someone people who do want to play. If you’re just talking about going through a visa process… like, I’m gonna talk to you about admin! It’s bad.

What have you learned from your works-in-progress of this show?

Big shows before [Glasgow] are more like re-WIPs. I started working with a director, Stuart Laws. I thought he was just so funny and amazing to worth with, and he’s also just a great director. There’s such a weird slump, post-Fringe, and it was just busy, busy, busy and then you’re like, ‘Where’s my time to work on new material, my downtime?’ So Stuart’s been great for that, to be like, ‘Where are your bits?’

[I’ve] only really taken those but out and testing them the past couple of weeks but they’ve felt good. It’s always funny, right? Something I find is hilarious, my friends find it hilarious, or at least funny… you take it to a crowd and…

(Kate proceeds to go in depth about some DARK but hilarious stuff)

… yeah.

What makes Glasgow audiences special?

I think all of Scotland are my people. It was a bit of a fluke that I got into Scotland. I warn, when touring comedians come from North America specifically, I work in, ‘Just so you know, the Glasgow audience is really funny.’ No, no, no, no, no. They’re funnier than you… they’re funnier than everyone. Everyone here is so quick and so banter-y and so funny. Don’t engage unless you’re willing to play and know you will be beaten. They’ve been training their whole lives.

You talked about Vinted in your show promo, can you give us a horror story?

My Vinted experience is that I don’t understand it. Everyone has a different game… it’s like the Wolf of Wall Street: ‘I always offer low and thence play ball.’ and I’m like, what!? When I offer low and the other person just denies you… I feel like they hate me.

Okay, more positive – what’s your best find?

I try not to buy, but I buy all the time. For Christopher-Macarthur-Boyd and Rosco McClelland’s new podcast called Shooting Ropes, in a supposedly cowboy way, I was like, ‘I need to buy a cowboy shirt’. At Barras market there were beautiful cowboy shirts but for £130. But on Vinted someone cut up other shirts and sewed them onto a blouse and then made some tassels, and I was like, girly yeah! One day I can afford the Barra’s shirt, maybe if this WIP goes well enough. That’s what we’re working towards.

Sum up your show in 5 words?

Personal, silly, controlled chaos, hot.

‘Government-Approved Comedian‘ is at Blackfriars Basement on Sun 15 Mar 2026 at 16:00 as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. 

Kate will also be performing at:

‘A Very Important Panel Show: Commonwealth Games Special‘ at The Social Hub, Sat 14 Mar 2026 at 14:20

‘Get Your Goat: Sketch Comedy Show‘ at Blackfriars Basement, Sun 22 Mar, 16:00pm

‘All Mouth: Queer Comedy‘ at The Rum Shack, Thu 26 Mar, 20:00pm