Comedy

Throughout the entire history of charity gigs, there have only been a handful which have not only gained legendary status as outstanding entertainment events, but have also genuinely helped to shine a huge light on one specific socio-political issue. Perhaps the most instantly memorable is Bob Geldof and Midge Ure’s global musical love-in, Live Aid; however, almost ten years before that, John Cleese and producers Martin Lewis and Peter Walker created the first in a series of seminal concerts which would become collectively known as ‘The Secret Policeman’s Balls’. Exploiting the combined comedic talents of the Pythons, Beyond the Fringe and The Goodies, they put on a comedy fundraiser for Amnesty International which not only thrust the organisation’s central message about universal human rights firmly into the public’s consciousness but also established the start of a series of legendary shows, which would become the blueprint for all charity gigs to follow.

With less than a week to go before ‘The Secret Policeman’s Ball ’08’, we caught up with impressionist and star of BBC2’s ‘Dead Ringers’ Jon Culshaw, to talk about the preparations for the gig, the joys of satire and the art of impersonation. Feature continues

This isn’t the first time you’ve appeared in the ‘Secret Policeman’s Ball’ is it?
‘No, I was lucky enough to take part in the event two years ago. It was a fantastic night. I have vivid memories of Russell Brand and Noel Fielding mucking about backstage like naughty schoolkids. I got to do a sketch with Ronni Ancona, which was great because, although we’re both impressionists, I’d never actually worked with her before. That’s one of the great things about the Ball: it has always given performers unique opportunities to work together, like the classic sketches with Monty Python and Rowan Atkinson. Quite unusual collaborations have become a hallmark of the show; I think it’s one of the things that has made it so special over the years, and why it’s so exciting to do.’

Who will you be working with this year? What will you be doing?
‘I’m not sure that I’m allowed to say. Partly because I think it should be a great surprise to the audience, but also because one of the other great things about the Ball is that it has a lot of fluidity. Things can change at the very last minute depending on what star turns up at the last minute. It feels quite spontaneous because often it is. Whatever we do it’ll be a lot of fun.’

Do you prefer politically based satire or spoofing celebrities?
‘It’s nice to do both, really. However, at the moment a lot of the politicians are essentially quite funny characters. Boris Johnson is a godsend for impersonators across the land. He’s the only person outside of The Beano who actually says things like “stone the crows” and “cripes”. Then you’ve got the sort of relationship that is hinted at between Tony Blair and David Miliband. It’s a bit like Darth Sidious and the young Skywalker. The mark of great satire is that it should just nag away and make issues more difficult to ignore. It should show, through comedy, what is at the back of people’s mind. It should cut through all the presentation, spin and “on message” rhetoric. It should say, “Hang on, that bloody well isn’t what’s going on.” When it’s done right it’s bold, challenging and refreshing.’

You do an excellent Tony Blair. Do you miss him?
‘That’s just one of the hazards of the job. The comings and goings are what makes it a bit like a game of chess; you have to be thinking two, three, four moves ahead. So, at the moment, I’ve got David Cameron under the microscope and I’m keeping Miliband under close observation.’

With the world lurching from crisis to crisis as it has been over the last few weeks you must be itching to get out there and comment on it?
‘Absolutely. At times like these you think: I wish the series was on right now. But there’s always an avenue somewhere. Like the Ball.’

Who else is on the bill?
‘Frank Skinner, Alan Carr, Russell Howard, Graham Norton, Jason Manford and loads more I can’t remember off the top of my head.
It’s going to be an amazing evening. Oh yes, and Mitchell and Webb. “Bonjela!” [He says out of nowhere in a spookily accurate David Mitchell voice.] “Bonjela, Bonjela, Bonjela.” Yes. it should be a great night for a great cause.’

‘The Secret Policeman’s Ball ’08’ is on at the Royal Albert Hall, Sat Oct 4.