Inside Riyadh’s controversial event with the participation of comedians Dave Chapel, Bill Burr, Jack Whitehall and Jimmy Carr

“There were sex jokes and trance jokes. It’s really unusual to see this kind of comedy here in Saudi Arabia.”

Here’s how a former Bat summarized the performances she saw at the first history of the comedy Riyadh.

“The answer was incredible. I have never seen such enthusiasm,” she said, after settings by American stars Dave Chapel and Bill B Bear.

The woman – who we call Sarah – said the comedians were avoiding discussing the controversial records of Saudi Arabian human rights. But that didn’t bother her much.

“People here are not interested in these topics,” she said. “If they did, they would not live here.”

Outside Saudi Arabia, there are many different perspectives.

Famous comedians like Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall, Kevin Hart, Russell Peters and Omid Jalilli were intensively criticized by fellow artists for agreeing to perform at the festival. Others say they have refused invitations.

But some claim that this is a more nuns. While human rights groups have many concerns about Saudi Arabia, the country has tried to transform its image in recent years.

With the festival, we talked to fans and comedians to find out what really was happening on earth – and how people reacted.

The Riyadh Comedy Festival began last weekend, with All -star – and mostly male – compositionS

One of the first fans through the doors was Zain, not his real name. He attended Omid Jalili’s kits and was fast with friends and was reserved to see Jimmy Carr next week. The kits included “profane content”, with jokes for gay and trance, he said.

“The act of finding Bill Burr includes a ten -minute segment, which was all about sex.”

Zain, who lives in Riyadh, said she was shocked to hear jokes like the one in a country known for being ultra -conservative social and where Homosexuality remains illegalS The country imposes the death penalty on same -sex relations, according to the International Lesbian Association, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intesex.

“I can’t believe people say these things in Saudi Arabia,” Zain said. “Many people here have not seen a stand in their lives, let alone something so explicit.”

But the jokes were well received, he said. “In front of me (there was a group) of local Saudi women and they all laughed.”

According to Sarah, Chapel’s set was also controversial with many jokes about trance people.

She said it was “really unusual” to hear jokes like this in the Gulf country. “It’s a lot of haram,” she said, using the Arabic word forbidden.

Zain said Jalilli was having fun with Saudi culture elements.

“He jokes for Nikab, and women are driving. He also made a skit on how people in Riyadh think they are a gift on earth.”

But Buru looked much more nervous, he said, sticking to tried and jokes for his wife and children.

The audience was a broad combination of Saudi citizens and former gadgets and had strong turnout, the attendees said.

Then there is something not said.

Fans we talked to said the shows “completely avoid” any mention of the government in Saudi Arabia.

Before the festival, Human Rights Watch argues the festival It was an attempt by the Saudi regime to “defeat” his abuses.

The group warned the Saudi dissidents, journalists and human rights activists who were unfairly detained.

And he called on everyone to present themselves in Riyadh to use the opportunity to speak on topics such as human rights and freedom of speech.

“So far, I have not seen one of the comedians raise these problems not only on stage but also on social media or anywhere,” Joey Shi, a Saudi Arabian researcher, told BBC News, Human Rights Watch. “It’s very disappointing.”

The comedian Atsuko Szatsuka who said she refused an invitation to perform, shared excerpts from a contract This claims to include bans on any material that can “degrade or slander” the Saudi royal family or religion.

The BBC News failed to verify the existence of such a contract independently.

But British comedian Rosie Holt says it is extremely rare for comedians to receive content restrictions like these.

“I’ve only heard that it happens at times at universities, not being homophobic or racist,” she told me. “But this is an exception, not the norm.”

The time of the festival is also not lost by its critics.

His dates, from September 26 to October 9, coincide with the seventh anniversary of the murder of Journalist Jamal HashogiS Hashogi was killed while visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey and his body cut off.

Found US Intelligence Report Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved his murder. Saudi Arabia has rejected this report and the Crown Prince, who is effectively the ruler of the kingdom, denied any role in the murder.

“The same person who will pay (the comedians) is the same person who paid this bone man who is in Jamal Hashogi treasure and put him in a (explanatory) suitcase,” said American comic book Mark Maron, in a stand -up video that seems to be aiming for Mohammed bin Salman.

Holt said that if the comedians would go to Riyadh and joke about the state and “call Hashogi”, then “I would say an honest game to them – but they are gone.”

“There is this old saying that the comedy speaks the truth of power,” she said. “Many of these comedians were huge defenders of freedom of expression and to go and present themselves in Saudi Arabia, where free speech is so very limited, it is unusual. This is morally disgusting.”

Alex Falcone, a comedian and Tittokker from LA, admitted that free speech was also firing in the United States. But he said the fact that the festival was supported by the government made it the most uncomfortable.

“There is a difference in performance in state for Country. I would not do a festival if he was paid by the Trump department is a great person, he said.

The common entertainment body of Saudi Arabia, which announced the festival, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Saudi Arabian Embassy in London addressed a comment.

Chapple, Djalili, Burr, Whitehall and Carr did not respond to BBC News.

Some comedians were clear about what attracted them to Saudi – money.

“They pay me enough money to look the other way,” said American comedian Tim Dylan in a podcast.

Dylan who says He was fired From the festival after this appearance of a podcast, he also claims that he was offered $ 375,000 (278,000 pounds) for his kit and that some of his peers were offered millions.

Others also talked about big fees.

American star Shane Gilis said In his podcast He had refused a “significant” proposal to implement the event. “I took a principled position,” he said.

The comedians have unclear their peers as a “sale”.

“Nobody goes into a comedy for Paycheque,” Holt says.

“The only people who are invited are people who are already very successful,” added Falcone. “It was not a difficult year for Kevin Hart.”

Comedians and musicians have often performed at private concerts and corporate parties.

“The difference,” says entertainment journalist Natalie Jamison, “is that these events tend not to be discovered or receive such publicity. Outrage is happening now because it happens so publicly.”

In recent years, not only the comedians have taken large sums from the Saudi government.

As a nation that is highly dependent on oil, Saudi Arabia works to diversify economically, socially and culturally.

His plan, Vision 2023, headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, includes a funnel for money transfer to sectors such as tourism, entertainment and sports.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has won hosting rights for several major international events, including the 2034 World Cup.

Last month Gaming Giant Electronic Arts (EA) have been bought by a consortium headed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. The Fund’s portfolio also includes Newcastle United and Liv Golf franchise.

“I am sure there are many people in the West who do not approve, but the people here are really excited about the transformation program,” Sarah said. “Saudi Arabia is trying to be a recreational center and things like this comedy festival really help. There is a lot of enthusiasm here, especially among young Saudis.”

Speaking in his podcast this week, Bill Burry defend your Riyadh performance before the reverse reaction.

“The comedians I’ve talked to say,” Dude, you can feel (the audience) wants it. They want to see a real standup comedy, “he said.” I think this will lead to many positive things. “

Whether the festival really allows different perspectives to be broadcast is a debate.

Zain admits that he will not escape from the fact that the comedians in Riyadh will not joke about the state or its leaders as they would do elsewhere.

“So you can criticize them for it,” he said. But holding an event like this helped to “open the eyes of the population.”

“Every Saudit who attends a show like this will learn something. You had gay jokes, trance jokes, sex jokes, they are really open to everything – except the government.”