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"There were sex jokes, and gender-related humor. Such content is rare to see such bold comedy here in Saudi Arabia."

That's how one ex-pat summed up the comedy sets she witnessed at the pioneering Saudi comedy showcase.

"Audience reaction was incredible," she commented, following performances from US comedians Bill Burr and Dave Chappelle.

Comedy Limits

The woman - referred to as Sara - said the performers steered clear of touching upon the nation's contentious rights situation.

"Residents show little interest about these matters," she said. "If they did, they wouldn't live here."

Internationally, opinions diverge significantly.

Famous comedians featuring Jack Whitehall, Kevin Hart, Jimmy Carr faced strong backlash from other comedians for accepting invitations at the showcase.

Audience Reactions

Among the earliest attendees through the doors was a festival-goer, not his real name.

He attended the comedy shows with acquaintances, and has tickets to see another performer later.

"The first comic for the headliner featured a lengthy section which was all about sex."

The spectator, who lives in Riyadh, expressed surprise to witness this content in a nation renowned for its traditional values.

"I can't believe comedians were delivering these jokes in Saudi," he commented. "Countless locals are unfamiliar with a live comedy show in their lives, let alone something so explicit."

Performance Content

However, the humor was enthusiastically accepted, he said. "Within the crowd, women from the Kingdom, and the entire group was amused."

Chappelle's set was also controversial, according to Sara, with lots of jokes about trans people.

She noted this material is "unprecedented" to experience such comedy in the Arabian nation.

The attendee reported that the comedian joked about features of Kingdom society.

"He humorously referenced traditional face coverings, and ladies behind the wheel. He also presented a segment about capital city attitudes."

Material Boundaries

Then there's what's not being said.

Spectators consulted reported the events "totally sidestepped" any reference to the government in Saudi Arabia.

Prior to the shows, watchdog agencies argued the event represented an effort by the Saudi regime to "improve its image.

An entertainer, who said she turned down an invitation to perform, revealed portions from a contract that reportedly contained restrictions regarding any content that could "degrade or defame" the Kingdom's monarchy or faith.

UK performer commented content limitations are uncommon for performers to face such performance boundaries.

"I've only heard sometimes at gigs at educational institutions," she told me. "Yet such cases are unusual not typical procedure."

Moral Questions

The event's scheduling has been noted by its detractors.

The scheduled period, from late September to early October, align with the seven-year mark of the killing of reporter Jamal Khashoggi.

"The same guy who is paying [the comedians] is the same guy who compensated that individual to dismember Jamal Khashoggi," remarked US comic Marc Maron.

"As the expression goes, that laughter confronts leadership," she commented. "Many performers have been huge defenders of free expression, and to appear in the Kingdom, where expression faces limitations, is extraordinary. It's morally repugnant."

Financial Considerations

Certain performers have been clear about why they're participating to this opportunity - money.

"They're paying me adequate payment to look the other way," American performer Tim Dillon said on a podcast.

Dillon, who says he was fired from the event following that podcast appearance, also claimed he had been compensated handsomely for his appearance.

American comedian Shane Gillis said on his podcast he had declined a "significant" offer to perform at the event. "I chose based on values," he commented.

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

"The only people getting opportunities are people who already very successful," added Falcone. "This has not been a challenging period for established comedians."

Social Evolution

It's not only comedians who have accepted substantial compensation from the Saudi government in recent times.

As part of its identity that has been reliant on petroleum, the nation is seeking to expand its interests in multiple sectors.

Its Vision 2023 plan, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, includes funnelling money into {sectors such as|areas including|fields