Saudi Arabia finds its funny bone with stand-up comedy

[TomSea]

Saudi Arabia finds its funny bone with stand-up comedy
Anuj Chopra


Chuckles and squeals ran through the crowd at a rare amateur comedy festival in the Saudi capital (AFP Photo/Fayez Nureldine)

Riyadh (AFP) - Saudis took the stage one by one to poke fun at the world -- and themselves -- introducing a hissing, cackling audience to an art form widely unknown in the conservative kingdom: stand-up comedy.

Chuckles and squeals ran through the crowd at a rare amateur comedy festival last week in the capital Riyadh, organised by the official General Entertainment Authority, the main engine of social reforms sweeping the kingdom.

The authority is boosting entertainment options like never before, from a Comic-Con festival to concerts by female musicians, helping shed the kingdom's austere reputation and introducing many Saudis to a novel concept -- having fun in public.

Read more at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/saudi-arabia-finds-funny-bone-stand-comedy-035325493.html

I'll bet if one made some political jokes, you could get thrown in prison or worse.

[edpc]

What’s the difference between an American girl and an Saudi girl?
American girls get stoned before they commit adultery.