Posted by : Sid in (Skeptic News, events)
Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People
Tagged Under : atheists, christmas, godless, winterval
NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR GODLESS PEOPLE
A Rational Celebration of Christmas
19th December, 2008 at The Bloomsbury theatre
SOLD OUT - Try Eight Lessons on Monday
Last year, Robin Ince made the mistake of appearing on ITV’s London Talking to debate “Is Britain becoming more secular?” By the time he got to the studio, the subject had changed to “Who is taking the Christ out of Christmas?”
Suffice to say, he got quite cross during the barrage of lies from radio shock jocks and misinformed fundamentalists. Robin tried to make it clear that, as an atheist, he wasn’t against Christmas as a time for gluttony and reflection; he was just against the journalists and manipulated fundamentalists shouting about winterval and other myths. This was beyond Stephen Green of Christian Voice’s comprehension, so he kept muttering, “I don’t think he does want Christmas blah blah blah”.
Well, to prove that he does enjoy this season of laziness, alcoholism and regret, he is presenting a rational celebration of the Christmas season in the guise of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People. Rather than talking of Jesus’s birth, acclaimed science author Simon Singh will talk about the birth of the universe. Instead of talking about Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, Bad Science Columnist Ben Goldacre will talk of alternative medicine and charlatans, while Josie Long will talk about the wonder of the stars.
So far the confirmed speakers are Stewart Lee, Phill Jupitus, Mark Thomas (who might be bringing along his grandfather’s travelling harmonium for a carol sing-a-long), Natalie Haynes, Chris Addison, Ben Goldacre, Christina Martin, Simon Singh, Josie Long, Jo Neary, Ricky Gervais and Richard Dawkins.
Music will be provided by Tim Minchin, Darren Hayman, Robyn Hitchcock, Phil Harris, Gavin Osborn, Colin Watson (aka Waen Shepherd) the fabulous Martin White Orchestra and more TBC
The evening will also include projections of classic archive footage of Carl Sagan and Richard Feynman.
Robin Ince will host the night.
It’s not just for agnostics and atheists, hopefully it will be a night celebrating the wonder of the universe so as long as you’re not a crazed fundamentalist you can enjoy it. If you are a crazed fundamentalist, then please come and hold a placard up outside and shout like a halfwit.
Bloomsbury Theatre
19th December
Doors 7pm/show7.30pm
Tickets available by calling the box office - 020 7388 8822
Tickets £20 and are available online.
How much is this? Why isn’t it listed on the theatre’s website?
Cheers
I’ve added the direct link to the booking website.
Sid
Nice one. This year has been wonderful for UK skeptics, what with this and Randi back in April.
Cheers
I’ve only just seen this, and would have loved to have gone but it’s sold out already with it seems minimal publicity. Can’t a second night be arranged, or a larger venue? Is there a waiting list for cancellations?
I’m with Dave Ferris… I’d love to go and am gutted its already sold out! A second night should definitely be arranged!
Sold out. Damn only just found out about it. Hope they add some more seats.
Will we be able to buy a CD or DVD of the presentation? I’d love a copy since I can’t get over to G.B. to see it.
Yes, but what are we heathens who can neither afford the plane ticket, or who are on the no-fly list supposed to do? Will there be a tape-recording?? Please, please????
A lineup like this could play Wembley. Move to somewhere larger, please, or at least sell copies on DVD!
I am trying to organise another night now, it’s just down to how many of the acts will be available for another night. I shall keep you updated
oh and we do plan on recording it if all the acts are happy with that
Do you know who you’ll get to film it…?
I’ve just bought two tickets so still some left it seems
How did you do that Steve? It’s not letting me buy them online.
I phoned the theatre too, and there’s nothing left. Oh well. Here’s hoping there’s another date!
Just back to UCL, saw this great event at the Bloomsbury and yes, as you say…sold out! There must be demand enough for a second date surely
I 2nd that. Only just saw it, and would give my right nut to go.. Bigger venue or 2nd night, pretty please..
Add me to the list of people who would absolutely love to buy a ticket, but only just heard about this event.
SO disappointed to miss it but happy that it is so popular. If there’s another night I will definitely have at least 3 people coming- am sure it will sell out as well. How might it be possible to be among the first to know?
milt
I’d just like to add my support for another night. I’ve only just found out about it through the Richard Dawkins website, it must have sold out within hours.
hello again,
it is looking like we will be able to add a second date on 18th December, though I can’t confirm that it will be exactly the same bill. It seems most can do this date. It should go on sale very soon. i should stress that I haven’t heard back from Richard Dawkins yet, so when it goes on sale, don’t buy if he’s the main attraction. If this sells out too, I hope we may do a really big third show,
Robin
That’s great, thanks Robin. Looks like you’re on to a very popular concept- which is very encouraging!
Hopefully RD can do it- if not I’ll have to go to the 3rd show as well!
Milt
Please please please put more dates together for this event! It is a fantastic idea. Everyone I know would come!
Also, having seen him at the fringe this year, Tim Minchin’s new stuff is just perfect for this.
More dates please!
Eight Lessons and Carols for Godless People
Due to extraordinary demand, a second Godless Christmas show has been added. Acts who are currently confirmed are Josie Long, Richard Herring, Ben Goldacre, Natalie Haynes, Stewart Lee, Simon Singh, Jo Neary, Darren hayman, Waen Shepherd, the Martin White mini fax machine orchestra, Peter Buckley Hill and Robin Ince.
http://www.thebloomsbury.com/
Tickets should be on sale 29th September (though they might possibly go on sale early on 26th)
A wiser man than me would have put the date of the event too. It’s 18th December
YAY!!
Any word from Mr Dawkins yet?
..Sorry, Professor..
Great to hear this! Whether or not Dawkins is there, I shall definitely be buying a ticket.
I’ll keep everyone up to date with who is confirmed. I think Richard Dawkins is busy in the US at the moment, so it might be a while before I know
Robin, thank you so much for organizing another date at such short notice. Should I assume we will we able to buy the tickets direct from the Bloomsbury website?
I’ll add the direct link on this blog when it becomes available, along with the rest of the details.
I’ve “hidden” Robin’s post until then, to save the madding crowds.
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You’re too good to people Mr Robin Ince. An additional night? maybe a thrid? I want to live in a world where latecomers are punished and left with that empty, jealousy feeling of ‘man I wish I had got there quicker’.
the show will be on sale on Monday from http://www.thebloomsbury.com. the bill is almost the same. Richard Dawkins, Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Stewart Lee, Tim Minchin, Josie Long etc. Robyn Hitchcock will not be playing and I am uncertain about Mark Thomas and Phill Jupitus.
I am pleased to say that a third date has been added and we’ve gone a bit mad this time, it’s Hammersmith Apollo on 21st December - Richard dawkins, Stewart lee, Mark Thomas, Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Josie Long, a 30 piece orchestra and more TBA in two weeks
Are tickets on sale for the 21st? or are you saying they will be available on the 23rd Oct? Thanks. Sounds like you could probably fill the NEC :).
Sorry I was looking for “eight lessons” for some reason.
Who says there is no God? I’ve just bought “God lager” at my local Waitrose!
On impulse, I bought tickets for the Sunday show, and so I’ll be coming down from Norway to see it.
As I am an anglophile atheist, I suspect that this is going to be a very enjoyable Christmas
Hi,
Wow im really interested in this topic. Could Sid or Robin please email me on zohramoledina@hotmail.co.uk so we can speak about things in a bit more detail.
Look forwad to hearing from you both.
Zohra,
You can contact me via the “Contact” page on the top links.
I would hate to have your email spammed for no reason.
Thanks