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The Secret Policeman's Ball

Comedy

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.

Apr 1, 19761 seasons15 episodesEndedEN

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John Cleese

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Michael Palin

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Terry Jones

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Graham Chapman

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Terry Gilliam

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Peter Cook

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Dudley Moore

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Jonathan Miller

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Alan Bennett

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Tim Brooke-Taylor

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Graeme Garden

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Bill Oddie

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Rowan Atkinson

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Billy Connolly

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Eleanor Bron

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Connie Booth

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Jasper Carrott

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Stephen Fry

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Seasons

Season 1

15 episodes

Premiered Apr 1, 1976

Episodes

1–6 of 15

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Ep 1

Pleasure at Her Majesty's

Apr 1, 1976

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.

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Ep 2

The Mermaid Frolics

May 1, 1977

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.

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Ep 3

The Secret Policeman's Ball

Jun 27, 1979

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.

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Ep 4

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

Sep 9, 1981

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.

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Ep 5

The Secret Policeman's Third Ball

Mar 26, 1987

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.

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Ep 6

Amnesty International Festival of Youth

Jun 18, 1988

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.

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