🔗 Share this article

"There were sex jokes, and LGBTQ+ material. Such content is rare to see this kind of comedy within the Kingdom."

That's how one ex-pat described the performances she's seen at the pioneering Riyadh Comedy Festival.

"The reception was phenomenal," she said, following performances from American stars Bill Burr and Dave Chappelle.

Content Boundaries

The attendee - identified as Sara - said the comedians avoided discussing the Kingdom's debated rights issues.

"Local audiences aren't concerned about these matters," she said. "If they did, they wouldn't live here."

Beyond the Kingdom, there are very different perspectives.

Famous comedians featuring Kevin Hart, Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall received harsh criticism from fellow artists for agreeing to perform at the showcase.

Crowd Responses

Among the earliest attendees through the doors was Zain, not his real name.

He attended Omid Djalili's and Bill Burr's sets with acquaintances, and has tickets to see Jimmy Carr soon.

"The opening act for the American comedian included a extended portion which was all about sex."

The attendee, who calls the city home, expressed surprise to hear jokes like this in a state which is known for being ultra-conservative socially.

"I can't believe comedians were delivering this stuff in Saudi," Zain said. "Many people here have never experienced a stand-up in their lives, much less something that daring."

Comedy Material

However, the humor were well received, he said. "In front of me, Saudi female attendees, and the entire group was amused."

Chappelle's set was equally contentious, based on spectator accounts, with plenty of material about the transgender community.

She commented this material is "unprecedented" to witness this type of humor in the Middle Eastern country.

Zain said that the comedian joked about elements of Saudi culture.

"He comically mentioned traditional face coverings, and women driving. He also did a routine about local residents' perceptions."

Material Boundaries

Then there's the avoided subjects.

Spectators consulted said the events "totally sidestepped" any mention of the government in Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of the festival, advocacy groups suggested the festival was an attempt by the Saudi regime to "polish its reputation.

One performer, who refused an offer to appear, shared excerpts from a document that supposedly featured restrictions regarding any material that could "disparage or slander the Saudi royal family or religion.

English entertainer commented content limitations are uncommon for comedians to receive content restrictions like those.

"I've only heard periodically at shows at universities," she mentioned. "However, these are rare not the norm."

Moral Questions

The event's scheduling has drawn attention from its critics.

The scheduled period, from 26 September to 9 October, overlap with the commemoration of the murder of writer Jamal Khashoggi.

"The identical individual compensating [the comedians] is that very person who funded those people to dismember the writer," said entertainer Marc Maron.

"There's that old saying, that laughter confronts leadership," she commented. "Many performers consistently support of free speech, and to appear in Saudi Arabia, where dialogue encounters restrictions, is extraordinary. It's morally repugnant."

Payment Issues

Certain performers have openly stated about why they're participating to the Kingdom - payment.

"The compensation adequate payment to overlook concerns," US comedian Tim Dillon commented online.

Dillon, who reports being removed from the festival following that podcast appearance, additionally stated he had been presented with significant payment for his appearance.

American comedian Shane Gillis commented online he had refused generous payment to appear at the festival. "I took a principled stand," he stated.

"No one goes into comedy for the financial reward," comments the comedian.

"Those exclusively who are being invited are people who already very successful," commented another comedian. "This has not been a challenging period for successful performers."

Social Evolution

It's not only comedians who have received significant payments from the Kingdom's authorities in recent times.

As a nation that has been heavily dependent on oil, the nation is working to diversify itself in multiple sectors.

Its Vision 2023 plan, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, features allocating funds into {sectors such as|areas including|fields