Edinburgh Fringe review: Bilal Zafar, Care

With comedy clubs and venues shuttered during the pandemic, many comics turned to Zoom gigs to keep the creative juices flowing.

And as soon as the padlocks were off the doors and crowds returned, many hoped it was gone for good.

But there were those too who have for many years embraced digital streaming, and it’s through Twitch that Bilal Zafar has taken his career to the next level.

Thousands follow his football management antics online every week, but for this show he’s live, in person, in a cosy room underneath the hub of Edinburgh’s Bristo Square.

Edinburgh Fringe Q&A: Bilal Zafar on how streaming on Twitch changed his life

Opening with some eyebrow gymnastics which are almost worth the admission alone, Zafar is here to recount his days working in a care home.

He takes us back to being a 21-year old armed with a media degree, being thrust into looking after the residents and taking care of their every need.

The bizarre situations that get thrown up are ripe for material in this enjoyable hour where it’s clear Zafar holds massive respect for those he looked after, especially one resident, Barry.

From hostage negotiation with the elderly to incentivisation by go-kart, this is a clever, funny and thought-provoking tale of how we treat older people and also those entrusted with looking after them.

At times the story dots around with asides and hilarious little details, but you never lose track as this talented storyteller navigates his way around the highs and lows. His laid-back style makes you want to lean in and listen to him deliver more tales.