Countless acts debuted shows at this year’s Fringe and even when heading into their last week, tension might still have oozed from them. On the contrary, returnee Bilal Zafar enters the stage and dominates it with calm mastery like a long-known territory. With his new stand-up gem Care, he proves again that he’s here to stay for good.

Hilariously narrating the time where he used to work in a care home for the rich, Zafar describes funny anecdotes with precise comedic timing. Probably because of his media degree, which he profusely makes fun of, his material has a sophisticated aftertaste, conveyed even by his demeanour. There is a growing affinity between Zafar and the crowd as he tells of resident Barry, who called him Al, or about the kitchen, where he learnt the art of ‘bantering’.

^{Pictures: Leslie Byron Pitt}

He skilfully manoeuvres the audience like a puppet master, picking on conversations and turning them into the next amusing jest. Even when the crowd thinks the best riffs have been told, the comedian catches them off-guard with another witty one-liner. The laughter pacifies only for a few minutes to then break out again.

Underbelly Bristo Square, until 29 August, 5.30pm.