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"Audiences heard adult-themed comedy, and LGBTQ+ material. This is unprecedented to witness such bold comedy in this conservative nation."

That's how an international attendee summed up the performances she's seen at the inaugural Saudi comedy showcase.

"Audience reaction was incredible," she noted, following performances from international performers Bill Burr and Dave Chappelle.

Performance Parameters

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

"Local audiences aren't concerned about these matters," she said. "If they did, they wouldn't call this home."

Internationally, there are very different perspectives.

Famous comedians such as Kevin Hart, Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall have been intensely criticised from other comedians for participating at the event.

Crowd Responses

An initial spectator to enter was Zain, using a pseudonym.

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

"The initial performer for Bill Burr featured a ten-minute segment which was centered around risqué material."

Zain, who calls the city home, said he was shocked to hear jokes like this in a state famous for conservative social norms.

"I can't believe people were saying such material in Saudi," he commented. "Many people here have never experienced a stand-up in their lives, much less something this bold."

Show Content

But the jokes was enthusiastically accepted, he said. "Within the crowd, Saudi female attendees, and the entire group was amused."

The American star's show was equally contentious, as reported by the attendee, with lots of jokes about LGBTQ+ individuals.

She noted this material is "unprecedented" to experience such comedy in the Gulf state.

According to spectators that Djalili poked fun at features of Kingdom society.

"He comically mentioned cultural garments, and female motorists. He also did a skit about capital city attitudes."

Content Restrictions

Furthermore, consider the unaddressed topics.

Attendees interviewed mentioned the events "totally sidestepped" any discussion about the Kingdom's leadership.

Before the event, watchdog agencies claimed the showcase constituted a move by the Kingdom's government to "whitewash" its abuses.

An entertainer, who said she turned down an opportunity to participate, published sections of a document that reportedly contained prohibitions against any routines that could "degrade or defame" the Kingdom's monarchy or religion.

British comedian Rosie Holt says it's extremely rare for entertainers to encounter content restrictions like those.

"Such instances are rare periodically at shows at colleges," she explained. "However, these are rare not the norm."

Moral Questions

The timing of the festival also hasn't been lost on its detractors.

When it's happening, from late September to early October, coincide with the seven-year mark of the murder of writer Jamal Khashoggi.

"The identical individual compensating [the comedians] is the same guy who funded that individual to dismember the journalist," said US comic Marc Maron.

"As the expression goes, that comedy speaks truth to power," she said. "Numerous entertainers are strong advocates of free speech, and to participate in Saudi Arabia, where free speech is so heavily curtailed, is remarkable. This creates moral questions."

Payment Issues

Certain performers have been transparent about what's drawn them to this opportunity - financial compensation.

"The financial offer enough money to overlook concerns," entertainer Tim Dillon commented online.

The comedian, who reports being removed from the event following that podcast appearance, also claimed he had been presented with significant payment for his set.

Performer Shane Gillis commented online he had declined a "significant" offer to appear at the festival. "I took a principled stand," he stated.

"Few enter entertainment for the monetary gain," notes the performer.

"Those exclusively getting opportunities are established stars," added Falcone. "This has not been a difficult time for successful performers."

Social Evolution

Performers join others who have received substantial compensation from the Kingdom's authorities in recent times.

As part of its identity that has been reliant on petroleum, the Kingdom is attempting to broaden its economy economically, socially and culturally.

Its Vision 2023 plan, led by the royal figure, involves investing resources into {sectors such as|areas including|fields