Govan Fair Queen

7/15/2025

Elaine C Smith, a stalwart of Scottish comedy royalty, might usually command the spotlight, but in the new BBC comedy short Govan Fair Queen, it’s young screen newcomer Harper Blue Hamilton who truly captivates. Harper plays Abigail, a sharp-tongued nine-year-old reluctantly entered into a beauty pageant in a working-class district of Glasgow by her grandmother Linda. The contest isn’t just about winning a trip to Florida—it’s a chance to settle an old family grievance after Linda believes she was unfairly ‘robbed’ of the title back in 1968. Written and directed by comic Paul Black, the film is a heartfelt celebration of the humour and resilience of the women from the community he grew up around. Remarkably, the cast is exclusively female, highlighting a world where strong, eccentric