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"Performers delivered risqué humor, and gender-related humor. Such content is rare to see these types of comedy in this conservative nation."

That's how an international attendee characterized the shows she attended at the first ever Kingdom's stand-up event.

"The response was amazing," she commented, following performances from US comedians Bill Burr and Dave Chappelle.

Performance Parameters

The woman - referred to as Sara - stated the performers steered clear of addressing the nation's contentious rights situation.

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

Outside Saudi Arabia, there are very different perspectives.

Celebrity entertainers including Kevin Hart, Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall have been intensely criticised from other comedians for participating at the festival.

Audience Reactions

An initial spectator through the doors was a festival-goer, using a pseudonym.

He attended the comedy shows with companions, and has tickets to see the British comic later.

"The opening act for the headliner featured a extended portion which was centered around risqué material."

The attendee, who resides in the capital, admitted astonishment to experience such comedy in a state renowned for its traditional values.

"I can't believe performers were sharing such material in this nation," he stated. "Numerous residents are unfamiliar with a live comedy show in their lives, much less something that daring."

Performance Content

But the jokes was enthusiastically accepted, he mentioned. "Among the audience, [there was a group] of local Saudi women, and they were all laughing."

The American star's show was equally contentious, based on spectator accounts, with plenty of material about the transgender community.

She commented this material is "unprecedented" to hear jokes like that in the Gulf state.

Zain said that the comedian joked about aspects of local traditions.

"He comically mentioned the niqab, and female motorists. He also did a segment about how people in Riyadh think."

Performance Limitations

Furthermore, consider what's not being said.

Fans we've spoken to reported the performances "entirely dodged" any reference to the government in Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of the festival, human rights organizations claimed the festival was an attempt by the Kingdom's government to "whitewash" its abuses.

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, who declined an invitation to perform, published sections of a agreement that reportedly contained restrictions regarding any content that could "disparage or slander the national leadership or religious institutions.

British comedian commented such restrictions are unusual for comedians to receive content restrictions like those.

"Similar cases are uncommon periodically at shows at universities," she mentioned. "But that's the exception not typical procedure."

Moral Questions

The timing of the festival has drawn attention from its critics.

Its dates, from late September to early October, coincide with the commemoration of the murder of writer Jamal Khashoggi.

"That very person compensating [the comedians] is the same guy that paid that individual to kill the journalist," remarked US comic Marc Maron.

"As the expression goes, that humor challenges authority," she commented. "A lot of these comedians have been huge defenders of open dialogue, and to go and perform in Saudi Arabia, where free speech is so heavily curtailed, is notable. It's morally repugnant."

Monetary Factors

Some comedians have been clear about what's drawn them to this opportunity - payment.

"The financial offer adequate payment to look the other way," American performer Tim Dillon said on a podcast.

The performer, who says he was fired from the showcase subsequent to his remarks, further mentioned he had been presented with significant payment for his performance.

Performer Shane Gillis commented online he had turned down substantial compensation to appear at the festival. "I made an ethical decision," he stated.

"Few enter entertainment for the financial reward," comments the comedian.

"The only people getting opportunities are people who already very successful," added Falcone. "This has not been a tough year for successful performers."

Cultural Transformation

Performers join others who have accepted substantial compensation from the Kingdom's authorities in the past few years.

As part of its identity that has been heavily dependent on oil, Saudi Arabia is seeking to expand its interests economically, socially and culturally.

Its Vision 2023 plan, spearheaded by the nation's leader, includes funnelling money into {sectors such as|areas including|fields