Well, here we are again. Rescheduling Nine Lessons. Omicron forced our hand in December meaning we had to postpone the final two shows of the 2021 run, so we’re back this April 16 and 17 with our own, happier variant. Nine Lessons for Spring. We’re just swapping Christmas for Easter!
Hosted by Robin Ince with loads of special guests expect the same mad cocktail of science, comedy, music and mayhem that you would in December. We might even still do some Christmas songs.
APRIL 16 & 17 2022
7:00pm
Kings Place London
“An endearingly shambolic, joyful lucky dip of a show”.
The Guardian
All shows are in Hall One at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG. If you had tickets for the December shows that were postponed they will be valid and re-issued for these new dates. If you haven’t already been contacted by the Kings Place Box Office do get in touch with them.
Hopefully most of the performers set to appear at the postponed December shows will be joining us in April but we guarantee you can expect a HUGE bill of speakers and performers which will include lots of Nine Lessons favourites and plenty of first timers too!
As ever with Nine Lessons, profits from this event will be going towards our chosen charities. This year we are proud to be fundraising for Covax and Maytree Respite Centre. And as in years past we will also be collecting food and household goods for a hard working, and brilliant foodbank. For these shows we’ll be collecting for the Emergency Food in East London.
If you’d like to become a Patreon supporter to support all the projects we do here at the Cosmic Shambles Network, click below. We can only put on shows like this, and all the other free online shows we’ve made during the pandemic, with your support.
If you want to watch the 2020 24 hour show (and four hour encore) Nine Lessons and Carols for Socially Distanced People, the entire show is free to watch online here or you can watch the whole thing condensed into 30 minutes here. Or check out the 2021, 2019, 2018 and 2017 editions.
Who’s on the bill and other info
Saturday April 16th Performers
Robin Ince
Natalie Haynes
Jim Bob
Dr Nira Chamberlain
Steve Mould
Bec Hill
Prof Jon Butterworth
Ginny Smith
Bobby Seagull
Charlie George
Femi & Marco
Hugh Warwick
Dr Priti Parikh
Hayley Campbell
Prof Jen Rogers
Harriet Braine
Ben Moor
Prof Linda Cremonesi
And more to be announced!
Sunday April 17th Performers
Robin Ince
Dr Helen Czerski
Deborah Frances-White
Matt Parker
Prof Lucie Green
Miranda Lowe
Prof Chris Lintott
Dr Jess Wade
Dr Mark Richards
Jo Neary
William the Conquerer
Dr Stuart Clark
Ben Sparks
Gecko
Soft Lad
And more to be announced!
About the Show
“The antidote to the ignorance and unkindness sweeping the world.” Chortle
Learn About This Year's Charities
All profits from this event will be split between our two chosen charities for 2021.
Covax/Gavi: The Vaccine Alliance
Developing a vaccine against COVID-19 is the most pressing challenge of our time – and nobody wins the race until everyone wins.
The global pandemic has already caused the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and disrupted the lives of billions more. As well as reducing the tragic loss of life and helping to get the pandemic under control, introduction of a vaccine will prevent the loss of US$ 375 billion to the global economy every month. Global equitable access to a vaccine, particularly protecting health care workers and those most-at-risk is the only way to mitigate the public health and economic impact of the pandemic.
Maytree
Maytree provide a unique residential service for people in suicidal crisis so they can talk about their suicidal thoughts and behaviour. They offer a free 4 night, 5 day one-off stay to adults over the age of 18 from across the UK with an aim to provide a safe, confidential, non-medical environment for their guests. A place where they can explore their thoughts and feelings, and feel heard with compassion and without judgement. Maytree remains unique. This year they plan to open a second house in Manchester.
Emergency Food for East London
Their two foodbanks (at Bow and Bethnal Green) operate an open-door policy offering emergency help especially for people who may not meet the criteria for other foodbanks. They are a registered charity that exists to provide food and emergency items to people in crisis in Tower Hamlets. Their approach is welcoming and friendly, offering our clients dignity and understanding within a non-judgmental environment.
Foodbank Collection
Each year at Nine Lessons we do a collection for one of London’s foodbanks. We are appalled that food banks should even be required in the UK but the sad fact of the matter is, they are. If you are able to bring something along with you to the shows to donate there will be a collection point by the Shambles merchandise stand. For these shows we are collecting for Emergency Food for East London. They are a series of independent foodbanks serving the local East London community including Bow, Bethnal Green, Whitechapel and Hackney. You can speak to Jo on the stand if you have any queries.
Some of the most urgently needed items are listed below:
- Cereals (especially including 12 pack Weetabix)
- Disposable nappies (most popular sizes 3, 4 and 5)
- Dried lentils
- Vegetable cooking oil (1 L)
- Washing Powder
- Toilet rolls
- UHT Milk (semi-skimmed or full fat)
- Rice (1 kg)
- Pasta (1kg)
- Washing-up liquid
- Tinned vegetables and pulses – kidney beans, chickpeas, potatoes, tomatoes, sweetcorn etc. (400g)
- Instant coffee
- Shampoo
- Shower Gel
- Teabags
- Peanut butter
- Rice pudding (canned)
- Tinned custard
- Jam
COVID Protocols
Obviously the safety of our audiences, artists and crew is of paramount importance
Please note that if you suspect you have any symptoms of coronavirus or have been advised by track and trace to self-isolate, including as a close contact of a suspected Omicron variant case, we ask that you refrain from attending.
Whilst there is no current legal requirement to wear masks in indoor theatre settings we would encourage all audience members to wear a mask during the performance if they are able.
Kings Place also operates an industry leading state of the art fresh-air air-conditioning system which ensures air is never recirculated. All the communal areas and surfaces of the building have been sanitised using the Bioprotectus fogging disinfection programme and hand santiser is readily available throughout the venue. For full COVID safety information visit this site.
Kings Place is also recipient of the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard mark, certifying that we have followed government and industry COVID-19 guidelines with a Risk Assessment in place plus a process to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
All performers and CSN crew will have completed a negative LFT test before arrival at the venue.
Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People is curated and produced by Trent Burton, Robin Ince & Melinda Burton
Live Images by Dave Hughes. Animation by William Marler
PLEASE NOTE: In the event of unforeseen circumstances the lineup is subject to change without notice.
COVID-19 protocols will be in place to best protect the health and safety of performers, crew and audience. For current COVID rules at Kings Place please check this page which will update in accordance with the changing COVID landscape.