Coldplay to play Secret Policeman’s Ball

The funniest night of the decade has been set for Sunday 4th March with the announcement today of the return of Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball.

Multi award-winners Coldplay, The Daily Show's Jon Stewart, and comedian and actor Russell Brand will be joined by a stellar cast of fellow stars from the world of entertainment to commemorate 50 years of Amnesty International at New York's Radio City Music Hall. It's the first time the Ball has been held outside of the UK.

Since John Cleese and friends brought together a star-studded mix of comedians and rock stars for The Secret Policeman's Ball in 1976, the legendary Amnesty International show has championed the right to free speech for people across the world. The New York gala event will also feature UK act Mumford & Sons, along with US stars Stephen Colbert, and Reggie Watts, joined by a host of others to help spread Amnesty International's message to a global audience.

John Cleese, one of the pioneers behind the original Secret Policeman's Balls, said: "I used to think humour was a luxury, but at the last election Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert taught me it was a necessity. The Secret Policeman's Ball was - and is - a coming together of the very best comedy talent of any generation to celebrate their art, remind audiences how important free speech is, and highlight just how much vital work Amnesty International does to protect it. I implore you to support it."
Chris Martin of Coldplay, said: "We are so happy to be involved with the 2012 Secret Policeman's Ball. We have followed and supported Amnesty International - and the amazing work they do around the world in the field of human rights – for years, and it is a pleasure to be asked to contribute to such an inspiring event."

A supporting online campaign at facebook.com/secretpoliceman will reveal further stars of the show in the coming weeks. Top UK comedians Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller have voiced new animations created for the campaign by leading French artist, McBess.

An audience of more than 6,000 people will gather at Radio City Music Hall to experience a one-off night of original performances, first time collaborations, unique comedy sketches and stand-up from the funniest men and women on both sides of the Atlantic.

Previous Secret Policeman's Balls have featured some of British comedy's most iconic sketches including Monty Python's 'Four Yorkshiremen' and the famous 'Dead Parrot', Peter Cook's 'Biased Judge' and the then unknown Rowan Atkinson's 'School Master'. The 2012 Ball will create new classic moments of its own with three hours of new material specially written for the landmark event.

To find out more visit www.facebook.com/secretpoliceman where you can win tickets from Monday 30th January, and follow the Secret Policeman on Twitter at www.twitter.com/secretpoliceman. The show will be broadcast on British TV.