Comics take on Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People

5 April 2012

Christmas would be perfect if it was not for all the religion getting in the way.

That seems to be the default position of modern comedians, many of whom appeared at last night’s Bloomsbury show celebrating the festival with a rationalist, non-Nativity romp.

Grumpy intellectual Robin Ince, who hosted, hit the correct note when he described the annual all-star fixture, which has previously featured Ricky Gervais and Jarvis Cocker, as a mix of the Royal Variety Show and the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lectures. There was definitely plenty of variety. Genial scientist Simon Singh provided a mini-Big Bang by electrocuting a gherkin, rapper Baba Brinkman rattled through the entire story of Beowulf in eight minutes. In fact the 17 guests flew by in a disciplined flash. The acts may have been preaching to the converted but they did it with nerdy charm.

Irishman Ed Byrne pointed out that his name was an anagram of Be Nerdy and pub Landlord Al Murray united everyone, not with carols but with a singalong of Incy Wincy Spider. Though maybe songsmith Mitch Benn summed up the season best, singing: "The true meaning of Christmas is eat until it hurts, then drink until it doesn’t hurt any more."

Until December 19, then 21 & 22

Robin Ince: Nine Lessons And Carols For Godless People
The Bloomsbury Theatre
Gordon Street, WC1H 0AH

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