The rebirth of Amnesty International's legendary SECRET POLICEMAN'S BALL at the Royal Albert Hall on 14th October - after a 15 year hiatus - was a resounding success. Bigger, Better and Ballsier than ever before, 'The Ball In The Hall' is a non-stop, rapid-fire, relentless smorgasbord of comedy and music. 6,000 people turned up to create a fantastic atmosphere as some of the best contemporary comic and music talent from both sides of the Atlantic delivered one show-stopping performance after another. Featuring never-before-seen collaborations, brand new sketches, explosive stand-up, off-stage performances, surprise ingredients and an anthem for the world, there has been nothing like it in the comedy world for years.

A live stand-up comedy and music gig to celebrate Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary.

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.

After the criticisms of the 1987 show’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 1976-1981 era with a primary focus on comedy. Pat Duffy was dropped from organising any further benefit events for Amnesty and for the 1989 show, Amnesty hired producer Judith Holder.

Following the success of the 1979 show and the financial benefits accruing to Amnesty from the spin-off movie, TV special and record albums – Cleese, Lewis and Walker planned the next show to be a more spectacular event. Cleese focused on broadening the comedic talent to be presented at the show. In addition to the Amnesty show stalwarts drawn from the Oxbridge/Monty Python/Beyond The Fringe orbit, he invited newcomers such as Rowan Atkinson’s colleagues from the BBC TV show Not the Nine O'Clock News including Pamela Stephenson and Griff Rhys Jones; comedian Victoria Wood and regional comic Jasper Carrott. Lewis secured a return appearance by Billy Connolly and a debut appearance by "alternative" comedian Alexei Sayle who Lewis had recently discovered and was managing. Building on the success of Pete Townshend's 1979 appearance Lewis recruited other rock musicians to perform at the 1981 show including Sting, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Donovan and Bob Geldof.

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. Instead of the live show being primarily a comedy show with a few musical cameos, the event made a point of giving equal emphasis to the comedy and the music.

The Secret Policeman benefit shows for Amnesty International brought together comedy grand masters - from Python and Beyond the Fringe - and performers then relatively unknown, like Rowan Atkinson. Narrated by Dawn French, the programme includes interviews with many of the comedians and musicians who took part: John Cleese, Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Sting, Lenny Henry and many more. The shows and their stars had a huge effect on modern British comedy. There are few comics today whose careers have not been heavily influenced by the anarchic and surreal humour of these events.

The Secret Policeman's Ball 2008 was a show in the "Secret Policeman's Balls" series of benefit shows for Amnesty International. Like its immediate predecessor, the show was a single-night event at London's Royal Albert Hall, on Saturday 4 October 2008. The 3-hour event was video-taped and a 95-minute television special adapted from the show was broadcast the following day, on Britain's Channel Four. There was also a "cinecast" in which the Royal Albert Hall event was shown live in 35 cinemas in major British cities.

Returning to mark Amnesty International's 50th anniversary, The Secret Policeman's Ball 2012 is bigger than ever as some of the world's best comedians and musicians team up for an evening of original, cutting-edge entertainment. This year's Secret Policeman's Ball takes place in March at New York City's Radio City Music Hall, featuring an all-star cast of music and comedy talent. Among the line-up of British and American talent are Coldplay, Russell Brand, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Mumford & Sons and Reggie Watts. UK and US stars featuring in the celebration of free speech and Amnesty International's 50th anniversary include Noel Fielding - who will be reunited on stage with Russell Brand - Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Carr, Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets, Micky Flanagan, Jack Whitehall, Jason Sudeikis, David Walliams, Seth Meyers and Kristen Wiig. Established in 1976, The Secret Policeman's Ball uses anarchic humour to throw a spotlight on human rights abuses and celebrates the right to free speech through comedy and music.

Compilation of all the best musical performances from Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball series. All the brilliant moments from the original Secret Policeman's Ball can be seen on this specially produced deluxe edition DVD. Featuring the day's finest talents, in the form of the Who's Pete Townshend, classical guitarist John Williams, Sting, Eric Clapton, Seal, Morrissey, this moment in musical history is truely deserving of DVD presentation.