April 1, 1976
A Poke in the Eye (With a Sharp Stick) is the title of the first show in what later became the iconic Secret Policeman's Ball seri...Read more
May 1, 1977
In May 1977 a second Amnesty benefit was held to build on the success of the first show and with the intent of developing momentum...Read more
June 27, 1979
The Secret Policeman's Ball was the third of the benefit shows staged by Amnesty International to raise funds for its research and...Read more
September 9, 1981
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball was the fourth of the benefit shows staged by the British Section of Amnesty International to ra...Read more
March 26, 1987
When the British Amnesty shows finally resumed in 1987 after a six-year hiatus, the show format was retooled in an effort to take ...Read more
June 18, 1988
In 1986, the US Section of Amnesty International had organised the very successful Conspiracy of Hope tour featuring leading rock ...Read more
August 30, 1989
After the criticisms of the 1987 production's disproportionate focus on music – and the financial disaster of its music-only Festi...Read more
January 13, 1991
In early 1991, Amnesty held a comedy gala at the Duke of York's Theatre in London to commemorate its 30th anniversary.
December 13, 1991
At the end of 1991, a second event commemorating Amnesty's 30th anniversary was organised as a TV special.
February 2, 1997
In early 1997, Amnesty held a comedy gala at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. The performers were primarily Irish performers includin...Read more
February 1, 1998
In 1998, Amnesty staged a reprise of "So You Think You're Irish" in Dublin. The performers were again primarily Irish performers i...Read more
June 3, 2001
In June 2001, Amnesty staged a benefit show that was video-taped as a TV special to commemorate its 40th anniversary.
October 14, 2006
The 13th show in the Amnesty series took place at the Royal Albert Hall.
October 4, 2008
In July 2008, Amnesty announced that it would present another show to be titled The Secret Policeman's Ball 2008. Like its immedia...Read more
March 4, 2012
Coinciding with Amnesty's 50th anniversary, the 2012 edition of The Secret Policeman's Ball took place outside of the UK for the f...Read more