Bilal Zafar broke through two years ago with his debut show about how an online joke about him running a muslims-only cake shop (he didn't) spiralled and went viral. This year he returns with another show which looks at the insidious power of the internet. In Lovebots Zafar discusses the influences of bots and reveals how he has fought back by creating his own bots which only want to spread love and compassion. Zafar is very funny, very clever and very good at structuring a subversive show that has a message hidden in the humour. Catch him onstage as he spreads love, compassion and, most importantly, laughs.
Bilal Zafar: Lovebots is at Just The Tonic at the Mash House from August 2 - 26. Tickets here.
Picture: Matt Crockett
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)?
I sometimes have to do a little shake to wake myself up. I get very very tired before going on stage. I heard that it’s my body saving my energy before I’m about to do something important. I can’t remember if I made that up.
2. What irritates you?
People that don’t wait for everyone to get off a train before getting on. Couples that come to my shows and explain/discuss what I’m talking about to each other quite loudly (this has happened about 6 times now).
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Last year I did 2 hour long shows back to back at the Greenbelt festival…I was severely dehydrated, and paramedics told me not to do it but I had to! And I loved it! (It was a bit like a crap version of the film ‘The Wrestler’)
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Just before the greenbelt festival I just mentioned, I performed every day at the Edinburgh fringe 2017, thinking I had an unusually annoying cold when I was actually suffering from severe pneumonia. Ended up in hospital for almost 2 weeks and couldn’t work for 2 months. It turned out the dehydration was because one of my lungs was really messed up. Would’ve been such a silly way to die.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How every other comic seems to be just as insecure and weird as me. It’s quite nice because I’ve been very used to feeling like I’m terrible and doing everything wrong throughout life.
Interview continues here.
