Bronwyn Isaac is an American comedian based in Amsterdam. She is performing her stand-up show ‘Why Are You Here’ as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. We spoke to Bronwyn about the show, her previous career as an election reporter in New York, and the communal spirit of the Amsterdam comedy scene.

Can you tell us about ‘Why Are You Here?’

You know in the movies, when there’s a scene where a narrator is mid-action, the record scratches, and their voiceover says: “I bet you’re wondering how I got here?” 

That’s how I want ‘Why Are You Here’ to feel, like a warm record scratch for how my life landed across the ocean from where I was born. My answer for moving to Amsterdam from the US isn’t as clean-cut as, ‘I got a job’ or, ‘I went to school’ – it’s a combination of my relationship with my partner coming out as trans, a growing censorship around journalism in the US, a general curiosity about the world, and many other factors. And honestly? A lot of the factors are darkly absurd, which is where I like to find the funny. So I decided to build a whole show around answering the question elderly Dutch people love to ask me at the park. It also gives me a space to make fun of this awful billionaire I worked for.

Could you describe your style of comedy for those who may not be familiar with your work?

I’m very classically American in the sense that I’m a bit over-enthusiastic in my performance style. It can seem like I’ve just dosed myself with an edible and a coffee when I haven’t. I like to mix absurdism and silliness with the darkness of politics. Without a dose of silly? These topics can feel too preachy or weighed down. But I also like to bite into what’s happening right here, right now. So ideally, my comedy feels like one of those popsicles with a sweet inviting outer layer of ice cream and a sour candy in the middle. Hopefully, audiences will dig that 1-2 flavor punch!

You worked as an election reporter in New York, leaving before the current presidential cycle. How glad are you that you got out when you did?

I’m very relieved I got out when I did. Sadly, the results of the 2024 election didn’t surprise me, although I was hoping he’d lose. Trump and his cronies have been ramping up a lot of these horrific plans for years (particularly Project 2025 and Heritage Foundation policies). When there was an attempted coup on Jan 6th 2021, and those people walked free, I knew the acceleration was speeding up. There’s been a fresh wave of censorship in journalism and targeting of protesters in the past decade. Although of course, this was always a part of the country’s history. All to say, I’m very glad to be out and telling jokes with lovely people in lovely rooms. Ironically, some of my political comedy hits better outside of the US because there’s more uniform agreement about how *corrupt* the US government is. 

How does it feel being an American abroad at the moment?

It’s kind of like… if you grew up with a really horrible dad, and you ran away from home because you know he’s awful, and everyone says: ‘Oh you’re from THAT family? Your dad robbed me and tried to set my house on fire!!! He also called my baby ugly.’ And you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, that sounds like my dad, I’m so sorry, he’s a real asshole, I’m trying to break the family cycle! I think your baby is very cute, by the way.’

Mostly, I feel very grateful to be abroad. I have a bit of ‘survivor’s guilt’ and want to stay involved from a distance in the ways I can, particularly to support friends and colleagues who are actively fighting the administration. I definitely feel safer being a loudmouth outside of the US.  I  have that common mix of homesickness for the people and experiences I love there, but also a lot of anger and grief around the fascism and what it’s doing globally. It’s a mixed bag, but the biggest feeling is gratitude. There’s stereotypes about Americans being hated abroad, but people are quite warm with me, so maybe I’m just better than all the other Americans (sarcasm).

What are you hoping for from a Glasgow audience?

I’m honestly so excited to perform in Glasgow. I genuinely think I’ll love the city based on the descriptions I’ve heard from Glaswegian people. I just want us to have a good time, kick back, laugh at my messed up billionaire loser ex-boss, laugh at the vulnerability of falling in love (big theme in my show), and how funny it can be to move somewhere new and not know how to check out at the grocery store. If people are down to have fun, that’s ultimately all I’m looking for! Maybe we’ll go dancing afterward?

What would you like your audience to take away from this show?

I hope we all feel like we connected over a pint! So much of my show is centered around discomfort. Feeling discomfort being censored at work, or as an immigrant, or navigating a long-term relationship. I think it’s easy to log onto the internet and feel like you’re the only one who feels wonky and uncomfortable while everyone else is streamlined. And of course, that’s not true. I want people to feel a bit less alone with their fears, whether those fears are around love, politics, their sexuality, or whether their dead Nana would approve of their life (perhaps I’m projecting on that last one).

You’re based in Amsterdam. How is the comedy scene there?

It’s a blast. When I first moved to Amsterdam, I didn’t know anyone except my girlfriend. First things first, I befriended a crow on my balcony and talked to him daily. Then I realized I needed human friends, so I joined the English language Facebook groups and connected with the comedy scene. I have found it really welcoming. The scene is growing a lot right now, so there are lots of chances to perform. But it’s not a big industry city, which means we have a lot more of a communal spirit (which I find refreshing after NY). I co-produce a monthly queer show called SERVE that’s hosted at a drag bar, we have a lot of fun bringing in local acts and traveling comedians, and getting super campy and silly. I think in the future, Amsterdam will be known even more as a comedy city!

Are there any other shows at the festival that we should check out that deserve a bit more attention than they might otherwise get?

Please go see my friend Adi Parmar’s show Sunny Boy! He’s another Amsterdam comedian who is absolutely a delight on stage, and his show hilariously grapples with fatherhood, coming out, immigration, and all sorts of relatable and complex topics. Definitely run, don’t walk, to see his show. I’d also recommend seeing Scottish comedian Eva Peroni’s show – ‘Alvin and Eva Go Woke’, I met her a year or so back, and she’s so hilarious, AND very very young, which hurts my feelings but I support it! The cops have confirmed, it’s okay, even legal, to be under 25 and talented. 

‘Why Are You Here?‘ is at Riding Room, Glasgow on Sat 14 Mar 2026 at 19:00 as part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival