Pub Landlord Al Murray to perform in alcohol-free Saudi Arabia

It’s a nation where anyone caught drinking faces fines or jail, so it’s not most obvious place to find Al Murray’s Pub Landlord.

Yet the comic is taking his beer-sloshing alter-ego to the capital Riyadh next month, performing a gig in his latest Guv Island tour at the Princess Nourah University Theatre.

And in adverts for the show, the pint he is seen carrying on the UK posters has been Photoshopped out for the Gulf state:

Here's the UK version:

And for Saudi:

While once a no-go area for comedians, the kingdom has in recent months hosted the likes of Kevin Hart, Martin Lawrence, and Russell Peters. British comic Paul Chowdhry played there this time last year.

Murray’s gig – his  first show in the kingdom – is on January 18, followed by a show in Dubai on January 20. 

He follows in the footsteps of Sir Keir Starmer, who is currently in the country trying to build stronger trade ties.

However critics have accused Saudi Arabia of using culture and sport to legitimise Mohammed bin Salman's regime amid human rights abuses, particularly since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate.

Controversies include the sovereign wealth fund buying Newcastle United and   Saudi hosting the 2034 World Cup.

However Murray will have to watch what he says about any of the controversies given there is little freedom of expression in Saudi. 

Published: 9 Dec 2024