Jade Jagger, Helena Bonham Carter, Jemima Khan, Sophie Dahl, James Purefoy, Tom Hollander, Mariella Frostrup, Keith Allen, Tim Burton, Vernon Kaye, Brian Dowling, Jasmine Guinness, Jacquetta Wheeler, and Rita Konig ­are set to join 800 guests indulging their senses in a whirlwind of delights as the toast of London’s high society experience the pleasures of a Victorian burlesque ball.

A dazzling array of entertainments will include live performances - including thrilling circus acts, can-can dancers and cabaret - whilst celebrity kissing booths and chocolate fountains will offer a rare glimpse of the sorts of ways in which the Victorians were amused.

The Extravaganza is being held to raise money for Amnesty International UK’s Human Rights Action Centre - due to open early next year - and highlights the organisation’s global Women's rights's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights campaign. It takes place on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights.

Under the slogan Problem? What problem, Amnesty International UK launched a high-profile poster campaign earlier this month to tackle complacency surrounding domestic violence in the UK. An ICM survey last year, for example, showed that more people (74%) would report a person for kicking or mistreating their dog than for kicking or mistreating their partner (53%).

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

“Amnesty International UK’s Human Rights Action Centre will enable us to invest in the activists and change-makers of the future. We are delighted to receive support from such an eye-catching and energetic event, which also highlights our efforts to challenge the complacency surrounding domestic violence against Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights.”

About the Human Rights Action Centre

The four-storey Human Rights Action Centre will not only house the UK Section’s head offices but will also provide an exciting new space for groups, schools and activists to effect real change for human rights worldwide, with educational resources, creative workshops, conference facilities, online actions and a new human rights resource centre.

Amnesty International UK’s capital appeal, with fundraising events and a major donor appeal, has a target of £3.5m. The designers of the refurbished building are Witherford Watson Mann Architects in collaboration with Gregori Chiarotti.

Amnesty International UK, a £15m voluntary organisation, purchased the premises at New Inn Yard, London EC2 for £4.6m in November 2002 following a five-year search. The human rights organisation plans to move from its two existing office premises in Islington to the new building in early 2005.

More about the Human Rights Action Centre...