Three hours plus interval is a lot of liberal humanism to take in, even when it comes from some of the best atheist entertainers in the land. But while the first of the comedian Robin Ince’s three seasonal specials may have been unholily long, it had some divine moments.

What other Christmas show could include Ricky Gervais, Richard Dawkins, Simon Singh and a man singing a Beach Boys parody? And what other Christmas show will tell you who came up with the big bang theory (Georges Lemaître), remind you how far we are from the edge of the Universe (13.7 billion miles), then end on a nine-minute beat poem railing against New Age stupidity (care of the Australian comedian Tim Minchin)?

“Welcome to my folly,” said Ince, standing in front of a small orchestra while wearing one of the evening’s many examples of nice knitwear. “I’m not going to deny it, this is a show really made for geeks and nerds. It’s our time!”

Ince is a man not afraid of telling an extended Charles Darwin routine. But his self-deprecating skill and his enthusiasm for his subject keep his explorations from ever feeling like cul-de-sacs. And his contacts book bulges with fellow brainiacs.

Chris Addison made his bid to become the next Doctor Who, sporting the hair of Tom Baker and the manner of David Tennant as he spoke up for the beauty of language. Richard Herring was at his best with a routine about living life to the full – or having to explain yourself to each of the billions of other sperm that you beat to the egg.

All this rationality left Ricky Gervais, the star guest, searching for an angle. “I’ve been an atheist most of my life,” he muttered, “but after tonight, I’m sick of it.”

Gervais didn’t have much to say about science. But his typically ironic routine about the folly of giving goats at Christmas reminded us what an immensely charismatic comedian he is. And when he was followed by Stewart Lee, the most consistently interesting comic in the country, it looked to be the night of the year.

The mood subsided in the second half, owing to the sheer volume of acts – Natalie Haynes, Luke Haines, Josie Long, Darren Heyman, Waen Shepherd to name a few – as well as some ho-hum antireligious name-calling. And Ben Goldacre’s serious-minded tirade against pseudo-scientific charlatanry was hard going, three hours into the show. But Richard Dawkins – the leader of the gang, Mr God Delusion himself – was a highlight. If his creator-knocking is overfamiliar to yer average atheist audience, the extract that he read from his book Unweaving the Rainbow was a humbling, enlightening reminder of our place in the galaxy.

After packing out the Bloomsbury, Ince has scheduled a third show at the huge Hammersmith Apollo: “If there’s one thing I can’t stand,” tutted Lee, “it’s the creeping commercialisation of secular Christmas.” With Jarvis Cocker and Dara O’Briain added to the bill, it’ll probably overplay its hand once more. But Ince’s mix of variety night and Royal Institution Christmas lecture has just enough epiphanies to make it worth the effort.

Sunday 21 December 2008 at the Hammersmith Apollo - 0844 8444748

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