Cast announced for Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball
35 OF THE WORLD’S MOST TALENTED ENTERTAINERS STAND UP FOR FREE SPEECH
Amnesty International today announced its line-up of 35 of the world’s most talented comedians and musicians who will stand up for free speech and celebrate 50 years of Amnesty International at the Secret Policeman’s Ball on Sunday 4 March at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. The show will be broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK on Friday 9 March 2012.
Comedians and actors announced today include: Matt Berry, Jimmy Carr, Eddie Izzard, Taran Killam, Rex Lee, Bobby Moynihan, Liam Neeson, Chris O’Dowd, Jay Pharoah, Tim Roth and Burmese comedian Maung Thura Zarganar.
They join previously announced all-star American comedians Fred Armisen, Hannibal Buress, David Cross, Bill Hader, Rashida Jones, Seth Meyers, Bob Odenkirk, Paul Rudd, Andy Samberg, Sarah Silverman, Statler & Waldorf from Disney’s The Muppets, Jon Stewart, Jason Sudeikis, Reggie Watts and Kristen Wiig, with British comics Russell Brand, Noel Fielding, Micky Flanagan, John Oliver, Peter Serafinowicz, Jack Whitehall and musical acts Coldplay and Mumford & Sons.
“As a stand up I think that freedom of speech is the most important thing to my job...well other than jokes. And a stage. And maybe an audience. And a microphone. Ok maybe it not the most important thing but it is important. What an honour it is to be playing at the Secret Policeman's Ball, I love freedom of speech almost as much as I love Coldplay. It's great to be on the bill as apparently I look like one of Mumford & Sons so maybe I'll try and get into their dressing room!” said Jack Whitehall who will be appearing at his first Secret Policeman’s Ball on Sunday.
Also joining the cast is internationally celebrated Burmese comedian and director, Maung Thura Zarganar, who uses his talents to speak out about human rights abuses in Burma. In 2008, Zarganar led a movement that collected money and supplies for the victims of Cyclone Nargis. He also publicly criticised the government’s response to the disaster. As a result he was given a 35-year prison sentence. On 12 October 2011, Zarganar was released from prison.
"The Secret Policeman's Ball has a long and glorious tradition of helping Amnesty International to take on tyrants through world-class comedy," said Kerry Moscogiuri, Director of Marketing for Amnesty International. “As Amnesty International brings the Ball to the United States for the first time, the headlines around the world – from Syria to China – demonstrate just how much Amnesty's work is needed.”
Find out more about the Secret Policeman's Ball /p>