About
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.
Cast
John Cleese
as Self
Michael Palin
as Self
Terry Jones
as Self
Graham Chapman
as Self
Terry Gilliam
as Self
Peter Cook
as Self
Dudley Moore
as Self
Jonathan Miller
as Self
Alan Bennett
as Self
Tim Brooke-Taylor
as Self
Graeme Garden
as Self
Bill Oddie
as Self
Rowan Atkinson
as Self
Billy Connolly
as Self
Eleanor Bron
as Self
Connie Booth
as Self
Jasper Carrott
as Self
Stephen Fry
as Self
Hugh Laurie
as Self
Dawn French
as Self
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
A 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 Amnesty International, although it pre-dated by three years the first show to bear that name. The film of the show was titled Pleasure at Her Majesty's which is sometimes mistakenly thought to be the title of the actual benefit show.
The Mermaid Frolics
In 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.
The Secret Policeman's Ball
The 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.
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
The 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 the human rights field.
The Secret Policeman's Third Ball
When 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 supporting Amnesty.
Amnesty International Festival of Youth
In 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. This tour built upon the participation of rock musicians in the 1979 and 1981 Secret Policeman's shows.
The Secret Policeman's Biggest Ball
After 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 returned to the original formula that had been so successful in the 1976–81 era with a primary focus on comedy.
Barf Bites Back!
In early 1991, Amnesty held a comedy gala at the Duke of York's Theatre in London to commemorate its 30th anniversary.
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