The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

The story

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.

Cast

R Rowan AtkinsonSelf - Various Roles J Jeff BeckSelf A Alan BennettSelf - Various Roles G Graham ChapmanSelf - Various Roles E Eric ClaptonSelf J John CleeseSelf - Various Roles P Phil CollinsSelf B Billy ConnollySelf P Peter CookSelf - Various Roles S Sheena EastonThe Secret Policeman Choir B Bob GeldofSelf B Barry HumphriesSelf - Various Roles

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M Michael PalinSelf - Various Roles D David RappaportVarious Roles S StingSelf J John BirdSelf - Various Roles T Tim Brooke-TaylorSelf - Various Characters D DonovanSelf J Johnnie FingersSelf J John FortuneSelf - Various Roles C Chris LanghamSelf - Various Roles G Griff Rhys JonesSelf - Various Roles A Alexei SayleSelf P Pamela StephensonSelf - Various Roles J John WellsSelf - Various Roles V Victoria WoodSelf D Daryl StuermerVarious Roles M Maynard WilliamsVarious Roles P Pete TownshendSelf J Jasper CarrottSelf D Doreen ChanterThe Secret Policeman Choir C Chris CrossThe Secret Policeman Choir N Neil InnesSelf M Micky MoodyThe Secret Policeman Choir M Midge UreThe Secret Policeman Choir