Mould and Arrowsmith in 3D

After the hype that surrounded the release of Avatar, it's easy to forget that audiences have been presented with 3D entertainment in the form of live theatre for millennia. This is the neat premise behind Steve Mould and Gemma Arrowsmith’s latest sketch show, and they have a good laugh at its expense.  “The whole show’s in 3D! We’re in 3D, you’re in 3D – look, it’s like I’m touching you!” says Mould, patting an audience member’s head. 

But, like Avatar, the show relies too heavily on one good idea at the expense of overall substance and quality. Although the pair’s trademark geeky jokes and sci-fi references are visibly “downloaded” onto the large screen behind them, you need less a degree in computer science than a compulsive TV habit to appreciate many of their jokes. Sketches based on Dragon’s Den, The Crystal Maze and Doctor Who crowd the performance.

The best sketches are based on Mould and Arrowsmith’s interactions with their on-screen avatars, who take part in an extended battle between Mac and PC. But too often their observations, such as the portrayal of a smug iPad owner, are neither fresh nor particularly insightful. The pair insist on delivering their lines to the audience in an exaggerated, pantomime style, barely making eye contact with each other. The overall effect is slightly old-fashioned and suggests the tireless enthusiasm of the children’s TV presenter; it's no surprise to discover that Mould is Blue Peter’s science expert. It is unfortunate that such a good idea is not translated into reality.