麻豆社

This week, some of the world鈥檚 most influential comedians have travelled to Saudi Arabia, for comedy festival organized by the government of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The bill for the Riyadh Comedy Festival includes superstars like Aziz Ansari, Dave Chapelle, Kevin Hart and Louis CK. And the event has attracted significant backlash, with critics accusing the participating comedians of helping Saudi Arabia to 鈥渃omedy-wash鈥� its record on human rights and free speech.

We speak to the comedian Gianmarco Soresi, who has been highly critical of peers who chose to play the festival, and from 麻豆社 security correspondent and resident Saudi Arabia expert, Frank Gardner.

Producers: Xandra Ellin and Valerio Esposito
Executive producers: James Shield and Annie Brown
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins