The Secret Policeman's Ball (2006)

The Secret Policeman's Ball 2006 was a show staged as a benefit for human rights organization Amnesty International at London's Royal Albert Hall in October 2006.

Internationally known performers Izzard and actor Richard E. Grant were joined by locally-popular comedic talents including Russell Brand, Jon Culshaw, Al Murray, The Mighty Boosh and Omid Djalili.

The show also featured a series of computer-generated animations highlighting global political issues, including the American detention centre at Guantanamo Bay and the international arms trade.

Several reviews in the UK media considered that, with a few exceptions, the performances and material were not of the highest calibre and did not compare to the quality of the original shows from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

[4][5][6] The critical comments were tempered by references to the fact that the event was held for a good cause; Chortle.co.uk wrote that "a charity gig is much like the infants’ Nativity play, successful in its own terms and not deserving of too much harsh scrutiny."