Livestreaming events next week

Amnesty International is to livestream three comedy events from its Secret Policeman’s Ball archives next week.

It kicks off on Monday with a discussion of The Four Yorkshiremen sketch, originally written by Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Marty Feldman for the At Last the 1948 Show in 1967.

Popularised by Monty Python, it was performed by Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Rowan Atkinson for the original Secret Policeman's Ball in 1979.

Deborah Frances White, who is hosting all three events, will be joined by  Juliet Stevenson and Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney to discuss the backstory of the sketch at 7.30pm on Monday.

Then on Wednesday, the Goodness Gracious Me team of Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir and Nina Wadia  will reunite for a discussion of their Going For An English sketch with Nish Kumar.

And on Friday there will be an online screening of the full 2001 show  We Know Where You Live, hosted by Eddie Izzard and including performances by Harry Enfield, Dom Joly, Vic Reeves and Paul Whitehouse.

The events will be screened on Amnesty International’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels.
Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: ‘Amnesty’s Secret Policeman’s Balls are trailblazing shows, demonstrating the power of artists, entertainment and comedy to raise awareness and spark action. 

‘As the world struggles through this pandemic, we could all do with a dose of light-hearted relief, which is why we’re bringing these iconic moments back to our screens once more.’ 

Frances-White added: ‘The Secret Policeman’s Ball is synonymous with top-drawer comedy, blissed-out joy and a focus on human rights. These are all things we could use right now when it feels like basic rights like being able to hug our loved ones have, for good reason, gone away. 

‘If there was ever a time to look back on classic glorious sketches presented with panache at Secret Policeman’s events of yore with the performers who delivered them, it’s now.’

Published: 29 May 2020