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Jimmy Carr Says He ‘Loved’ Saudi Arabia Show Amid Debate Over Performing in the Kingdom
British comedian defends his decision to perform in Riyadh, praising audiences and organisation despite renewed scrutiny over entertainers appearing in Saudi Arabia.
British comedian Jimmy Carr has said he “loved” performing in Saudi Arabia, describing the experience as overwhelmingly positive despite renewed debate over international entertainers appearing in the Kingdom.
Carr performed a stand-up show in Riyadh as part of a wider tour, drawing a sizeable audience in a country that has rapidly expanded its live entertainment and cultural programming in recent years.
Speaking after the event, he praised the crowd’s enthusiasm and said the show had been one of the highlights of his tour schedule.
The performance comes as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in its entertainment sector, hosting concerts, sporting events and comedy tours as part of a broader effort to diversify its economy and broaden cultural offerings.
The Kingdom has established major venues and event platforms that have attracted global artists across music, sport and the performing arts.
Carr’s appearance also prompted criticism from some campaign groups who argue that international performers should not engage with Saudi venues due to concerns about human rights.
The comedian did not directly address specific allegations but signalled that his focus was on delivering comedy to audiences who wanted to attend the show.
Supporters of the Kingdom’s cultural reforms point to significant social and economic changes over recent years, including expanded opportunities in the arts and entertainment sectors and increased public access to international performances.
The growing calendar of events has positioned Saudi Arabia as a regional destination for global touring acts.
Carr’s remarks underscore the ongoing debate within the entertainment industry about engagement in rapidly changing markets.
For many performers, the expansion of live events in the Middle East represents a major opportunity to connect with new audiences, while critics continue to call for greater scrutiny of where and how artists perform.
The Riyadh show forms part of a broader transformation of Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape, which has seen record attendance at concerts, festivals and sporting fixtures as the Kingdom accelerates investment in its creative economy.
Carr performed a stand-up show in Riyadh as part of a wider tour, drawing a sizeable audience in a country that has rapidly expanded its live entertainment and cultural programming in recent years.
Speaking after the event, he praised the crowd’s enthusiasm and said the show had been one of the highlights of his tour schedule.
The performance comes as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in its entertainment sector, hosting concerts, sporting events and comedy tours as part of a broader effort to diversify its economy and broaden cultural offerings.
The Kingdom has established major venues and event platforms that have attracted global artists across music, sport and the performing arts.
Carr’s appearance also prompted criticism from some campaign groups who argue that international performers should not engage with Saudi venues due to concerns about human rights.
The comedian did not directly address specific allegations but signalled that his focus was on delivering comedy to audiences who wanted to attend the show.
Supporters of the Kingdom’s cultural reforms point to significant social and economic changes over recent years, including expanded opportunities in the arts and entertainment sectors and increased public access to international performances.
The growing calendar of events has positioned Saudi Arabia as a regional destination for global touring acts.
Carr’s remarks underscore the ongoing debate within the entertainment industry about engagement in rapidly changing markets.
For many performers, the expansion of live events in the Middle East represents a major opportunity to connect with new audiences, while critics continue to call for greater scrutiny of where and how artists perform.
The Riyadh show forms part of a broader transformation of Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape, which has seen record attendance at concerts, festivals and sporting fixtures as the Kingdom accelerates investment in its creative economy.
