Weekend TV

The Secret Policeman's Ball

Reinvented for the 21st century, The Secret Policeman’s Ball - which launches Amnesty International’s Protect the Human Week - arrives tonight, boasting a who’s who of comic talent.

This year’s charity bash (Sunday, Channel 4, 9pm) features Al Murray, Chevy Chase, Eddie Izzard, Russell Brand, Jennifer Saunders, The Mighty Boosh, Jon Culshaw, Meera Syal, Omid Djalili, Jessica Stevenson, Ronni Ancona, Seth Green, Richard E Grant, Andrew Maxwell, the Gorillaz characters, and the Magic Numbers in a night of never-before-seen collaborations.

As well as the traditional mix of stand-up and sketch comedy, Amnesty International has added many new ingredients, including animations featuring Patrick Stewart, Joanna Lumley, Jimmy Carr, Tara Fitzgerald, Jo Brand and Brian Cox.

Over 30 years ago, back in 1976, Amnesty International, with a little help from John Cleese and his friends, began producing world-changing comedy shows that promoted human rights.

The original shows contained many seminal showbiz moments: some of Monty Python’s finest live performances, John Cleese and Peter Cook’s first on-stage collaboration, Sting’s first solo performance, and Rowan Atkinson’s first try-out with a voice now globally recognised as that of Mr Bean.

With music from Bob Geldof, Lou Reed, Kate Bush and Duran Duran, The Ball was the first event of its kind, demonstrating the power of artists and entertainment to inspire action, paving the way for Live Aid and Comic Relief.

Public support for Amnesty increased by 700 per cent after the first three shows, and the profile of human rights went through the roof.

Now, in the 21st century, The Secret Policeman’s Ball has been called on to take its place in the fight for global justice.

When it returned in 2006, there was another huge outpouring of support.

Kate Allen, UK Director of Amnesty International, said: “We’re bringing back The Ball because it’s never been more important to stand up for human rights.

Comedy A-lister Al Murray said: “It is a fantastic honour to be asked to play The Secret Policeman’s Ball, though you have to wonder why if they’re secret policemen they want all this publicity.’’

Terry Gilliam, Monty Python star and original performer, said: “Now, as in the days of the early Secret Policeman’s Balls, governments are really keen on locking up people they don’t like.

“We have to have eyes and ears out all the time and voices that will shout out and say this is wrong, this is terrible.

In return artists can give Amnesty’s voice a platform making it louder, more powerful. Eventually the bad guys have to listen.’’