The Secret Policeman's Ball (1976)
A series of benefit shows staged initially in the United Kingdom to raise funds for the human rights organisation Amnesty International. The shows started in 1976 featuring popular British comedians but later included leading musicians and actors. The Secret Policeman's Ball shows are credited by many prominent entertainers with having galvanised them to become involved with Amnesty and other social and political causes in succeeding years.
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Episodes
- 1 1. Pleasure at Her Majesty's1976-04-01A Poke in the Eye (With a Sharp Stick) is the title of the first show in what later became the iconic Secret Policeman's Ball series of benefit shows for human rights organization
- 2 2. The Mermaid Frolics1977-05-01In May 1977 a second Amnesty benefit was held to build on the success of the first show and with the intent of developing momentum for a regularly scheduled benefit show.
- 3 3. The Secret Policeman's Ball1979-06-27The Secret Policeman's Ball was the third of the benefit shows staged by Amnesty International to raise funds for its research and campaign work in the human rights field.
- 4 4. The Secret Policeman's Other Ball1981-09-09The Secret Policeman's Other Ball was the fourth of the benefit shows staged by the British Section of Amnesty International to raise funds for its research and campaign work in th
- 5 5. The Secret Policeman's Third Ball1987-03-26When the British Amnesty shows finally resumed in 1987 after a six-year hiatus, the show format was retooled in an effort to take advantage of the growing number of rock musicians
- 6 6. Amnesty International Festival of Youth1988-06-18In 1986, the US Section of Amnesty International had organised the very successful Conspiracy of Hope tour featuring leading rock musicians on an 11-day/6-concert tour of the US. T
- 7 7. The Secret Policeman's Biggest Ball1989-08-30After the criticisms of the 1987 production's disproportionate focus on music – and the financial disaster of its music-only Festival of Youth weekend concert in 1988 – Amnesty ret
- 8 8. Barf Bites Back!1991-01-13In early 1991, Amnesty held a comedy gala at the Duke of York's Theatre in London to commemorate its 30th anniversary.
- 9 9. The Big 3-0 – Amnesty’s 30th Anniversary Special1991-12-13At the end of 1991, a second event commemorating Amnesty's 30th anniversary was organised as a TV special.
- 10 10. So You Think You’re Irish1997-02-02In early 1997, Amnesty held a comedy gala at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. The performers were primarily Irish performers including: Barry Murphy, Brendan O'Carroll, Pauline McLynn
- 11 11. So You Think You're Irish 21998-02-01In 1998, Amnesty staged a reprise of "So You Think You're Irish" in Dublin. The performers were again primarily Irish performers including: Milo O'Shea, Barry Murphy, Pauline McLyn
- 12 12. We Know Where You Live2001-06-03In June 2001, Amnesty staged a benefit show that was video-taped as a TV special to commemorate its 40th anniversary.
- 13 13. The Secret Policeman's Ball 20062006-10-14The 13th show in the Amnesty series took place at the Royal Albert Hall.
- 14 14. The Secret Policeman's Ball 20082008-10-04In July 2008, Amnesty announced that it would present another show to be titled The Secret Policeman's Ball 2008. Like its immediate predecessor, the show was a single-night event
- 15 15. The Secret Policeman's Ball 20122012-03-04Coinciding with Amnesty's 50th anniversary, the 2012 edition of The Secret Policeman's Ball took place outside of the UK for the first time under that title. It was staged on 4 Mar
Cast
John CleeseSelf
Michael PalinSelf
Terry JonesSelf
Graham ChapmanSelf
Terry GilliamSelf
Peter CookSelf
Dudley MooreSelf
Jonathan MillerSelf
Alan BennettSelf
Tim Brooke-TaylorSelf
Graeme GardenSelf
Bill OddieSelf
Rowan AtkinsonSelf
Billy ConnollySelfImages
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