Secret Policeman’s Ball, The

Alternative title: Schoolmaster
Synopsis: A comedy gala to benefit Amnesty International staged at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London. The evening consisted of comedy sketches and music. One sketch, written by Richard Sparks, features Atkinson as a gowned schoolteacher talking to his pupils after having marked the set essay ‘Discuss the contention that Cleopatra had the body of a roll-top desk and the mind of a duck’. Part of his address is as follows: ‘If Shakespeare had meant Antony and Cleopatra to be funny, he would have put a joke in it. There is no joke in Antony and Cleopatra. You would know that if you’d read it, wouldn’t you, Babcock? Pest! Which of Shakespeare’s plays does have a joke in it? Anyone? The Comedy of Errors, for God’s sake! The Comedy of Errors has the joke of two people looking like each other. Twice. It’s not that funny, German. And the other Shakespearian joke is, Nibble? NIBBLE! Leave Orifice alone! What a lot! All right, for the rest of this period, you will right about Enobarbus. Under-Manager, just try and write, "Enobarbus". Either way up, boy, I’m not bothered. Usual rules; no eating, no cheating, no looking out of windows, no slang, no slide rules. Use ink only, via a nib if possible... Kosygin, you’re in charge’.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Film
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Year of release: 1979
Recording date: Jun 1979
Duration: 94 mins; 8505 feet

Director

Roger Graef

Producer

Roger Graef; Thomas Schwalm

Cinematographer

Clive Tickner; Ernest Vincze; Pasco MacFarlane

Writer

Richard Sparks

Cast

Rowan Atkinson

Notes: The sketch may be viewed online at http://www.amnesty.org.uk/secretpolice/archive.asp (accessed 10/2007).
General: The gala was directed for stage by John Cleese.

Shakespeare, "Secret Policeman’s Ball, The". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av69335 (Accessed 26 Nov 2024)

SHAKESPEARE