Inspired by the English Secret Policeman's Balls, cabaret artists Wim de Bie, Kees van Kooten and Freek de Jonge put together two benefit evenings for Amnesty International in 1983. A selection of selflessly collaborating artists made Een Gebaar in Carré theater on 16 and 17 May 1983, tightly led by 'action leader' Hank Den Drijver (alias Wim De Bie). 25 years later, the VPRO finally releases a
… DVD of the full-length television show it broadcast from it. This 'Final report of the Aksie De Beveding Lach' is full of hilarious acts, such as De Positivoos with a 'converted' Doe Maar, De Duos with a very young Kees Prins and Arjen Ederveen, Van Kooten's Vieze Man and the three compilers as rapper. Een Gebaar offers a sample of left-wing, culturally and artistically responsible Dutch entertainment in the early eighties. The only ones who fell a bit outside of that were André Hazes and Herman Brood. But they also eventually flattened Carré with their rock 'n roll. Delicious viewing food of which the proceeds again go to Amnesty. (HB)more
