:For the original 1979 show directed by John Cleese see: The Secret Policeman's Ball (1979). The Secret Policeman's Ball was the title of the show staged as a benefit for human rights organization Amnesty International at London's Royal Albert Hall in October 2006.
The show title was a conscious reprise of the title of the 1979 Amnesty benefit show that heralded the organization's breakthrough in public awareness and fund-raising. The 1979 show The Secret Policeman's Ball, organised by John Cleese and producers Martin Lewis & Peter Walker Secret_Policemans_Ball/226036" target="_blank">http://www.hollywood.com/movie/The_Secret_Policemans_Ball/226036, led to greater participation by comedians and rock musicians in further benefit shows for Amnesty and other social and political causes. http://www.ireland.com/theticket/articles/2006/1020/1160606784745.html It also led to the series of benefit shows that are informally known as _The Secret Policeman's Balls.
The 2006 show was coordinated by British comedian Eddie Izzard. Internationally-known performers Izzard and actor Richard E. Grant were joined by locally-popular comedic talents including Russell Brand, Jon Culshaw, Al Murray, The Mighty Boosh and Omid Djalili. American comedic actor Chevy Chase made a cameo appearance in one skit. Music was supplied by The Zutons and The Magic Numbers. Singer Natalie Imbruglia appeared in a routine alongside David Armand spoofing her hit song Torn. The show also featured a series of computer-generated animations highlighting global political issues, including the American detention centre at Guantanamo Bay and the international arms trade.
Certain high-profile performers such as Jennifer Saunders and Sir Ian McKellen previously advertised on Amnesty's website as confirmed participants blank">http://www.amnesty.org.uk/secretpolice/index.asp?page=5 did not appear in the show, but participated as voice actors in some of the animations shown throughout.
The 4-hour show was videotaped and 70 minutes of highlights were broadcast by Britain's _Channel Four station on October 31st 2006. A DVD was released on 4th December but lasting 199 minutes with 83 minutes of extras. Included in the 'extras' section were some of the animations from the show itself. There was also a series of "cinecasts" in which the Royal Albert Hall event was shown live in 17 cinemas in major British cities. Several reviews in the UK media noted that, with a few exceptions, the performances and material were not of the highest calibre and did not compare to the quality of the original shows from the late 1970s and early 1980s. headline=the-secret-policeman-s-ball" target="_blank">the-ball-in-the-hall&method=full&objectid=18232203&siteid=66633-name_page.html http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14936-2405460,00.html http://www.chortle.co.uk/shows/misc_live_shows/s/15023/secret_policeman's_ball_2006/review/ The critical comments were tempered by references to the fact that the event was held for a good cause - eg the respected Chortle.co.uk website stated: "a charity gig is much like the infants’ Nativity play, successful in its own terms and not deserving of too much harsh scrutiny." (The contrast was perhaps made vivid by the airing on Channel Four of the film of the 1981 show _The Secret Policeman's Other Ball just a few days before the new show.)
A series of benefit concerts to raise money for Amnesty International. Performances include comedy skits and musical numbers by a varied cast of mostly British performers. Featuring several Monty Python members, Rowan Atkinson, and Peter Cook. Written by Anonymous
The 4-hour show was staged on 14 October 2006 for the 30th anniversary of the original Amnesty International comedy gala.
The stage show was 'cinecast' live in 17 cinemas around Britain.
