Watch Secret Policeman's Ball

The Secret Policeman's Ball was a groundbreaking comedy event that took place in 1979 and paved the way for social and political activism through humor. The show, organized by John Cleese and producer Martin Lewis, was a fundraiser for Amnesty International, a human rights organization that focuses on the release of political prisoners around the world.

The show began with a brief introduction by a representative of Amnesty International, who explained the organization's mission and the reason for the event. The audience, consisting of British comedians and activists as well as ordinary citizens, was then treated to a night of satirical comedy, music, and sketches.

One of the most memorable performances was by Monty Python's Michael Palin, who performed a sketch in which he played a man who had been hired to infiltrate the British Communist Party. The sketch was filled with witty one-liners and thinly veiled political jabs, all of which garnered thunderous applause from the audience.

Another crowd-pleasing performance was by Rowan Atkinson, who performed a stand-up routine in which he poked fun at everything from politics to sex. Atkinson's unique brand of physical comedy and dry wit drew laughter and cheers from the crowd, cementing his place as one of Britain's preeminent comic talents.

Throughout the night, various musicians performed, including Pete Townshend, who played a medley of songs with fellow guitarist John Williams. The duo's seamless and soulful playing thrilled the audience, and underscored the night's theme of social change through art and entertainment.

Other notable performers included John Cleese, who performed a sketch about a man who resolutely refused to take any action to save a drowning woman until it was too late, and the comedy group Beyond the Fringe, who performed a skit about a fictional African country that was so corrupt that even the need for bribery had to be bribed.

Overall, the Secret Policeman's Ball was an enormous success. It raised thousands of pounds for Amnesty International, garnered widespread media attention, and demonstrated that humor and satire could be used to highlight issues of social and political significance. In the years that followed, the show became an annual event and spawned numerous spin-offs and imitations, all of which sought to leverage the power of comedy to achieve social change.

More than four decades after that first night, the Secret Policeman's Ball remains a testament to the power of laughter and satire to create positive change in the world. It remains one of the most important and iconic events in the history of British comedy and activism, and a shining example of the best that both can offer.