Lets pretend you’re an international organization who‘s interested in human rights. Let’s pretend you’re responsible for the release of hundreds of prisoners in foreign countries and arrange for better conditions for thousands more since 1961. And let’s pretend that in 1976 you’re nearly broke. What to do, what to do? Well, if you‘re Amnesty International you put together an annual concert series, with the help of Monty Python member John Cleese, and eventually call them The Secret Policeman’s Balls.

The Secret Policeman’s Balls started in 1976 as originally billed as A Poke In The Eye (With A Sharp Stick), the film version being Pleasure At Her Majesty‘s and was a comedy skit show featuring the members of Monty Python and pals from Beyond The Fringe, and The Goodies. Later shows added fellow comics Hugh Laurie (House), Alexi Sayle, Peter Ustinov, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Billy Connelly, and Connie Booth. Musicians entered the fray as well, with some amazing solo performances. Pete Townsend Pinball Wizard, Sting Roxanne and Message In A Bottle, Phil Collins In The Air Tonight, as well as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Donovan, Bob Geldof, Jackson Browne, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, and Joan Armatrading.

The Secret Policeman’s Balls is a 3 disc, 5 concert box set. The concerts represented are:

Pleasure At Her Majesty‘s 1976

The Secret Policeman‘s Ball 1979

The Secret Policeman‘s Other Ball 1981

The Secret Policeman‘s Third Ball 1987

The Secret Policeman‘s Biggest Ball 1989

Bonus Features :

Remember The Secret Policeman’s Ball? (2004) Feature Length BBC Documentary Celebrating The 25th Anniversary. Never before seen in the US.

Footage From the U.K. Premiere of the Secret Policeman‘s Other Ball

Rare Bonus Footage

Brand New Essays and Video Intros By Co-Producer Martin Lewis

This is an amazing set of concerts, with some of the premiere comic troupes, stand-up comedians, and musicians from across the pond. OK, Alexi Sayle isn’t that funny with his Anarchy Comedy, but where else can you see the .The Lumberjack Song and the .Dead Parrot skit, and see Pete Townsend perform .Pinball Wizard. A must have for the fan of British comedy, and classic rock.

ComicsOnline gives The Secret Policeman’s Balls 5 belly laughin’, classic rockin’, world saving stars out of 5.