Hugo and Patrick McPherson are the only twins in the world. At least that’s what they want us to believe for the 60-minute duration of their double act Pear. Like being a first-time guest sitting at the end of a familial dinner table, we are thrown into the deep end of a two-person monologue (no, it’s not a dialogue) that is so quick and densely packed, laughter often bleeds over the next gag.

The siblings’ writing is sharp and relentless, only enhanced by prompt light and sound cues executed to perfection. But there’s an underlying chaos, too. A choice to perform in socks, because the ceilings are too low for their height of six foot and seven inches (a story that made local news), has a fortuitous domino effect on multiple sketches, and audience participation segments bring a wildness to the otherwise painstakingly orchestrated hour. 

A ‘quest for satire’, imposed on the duo by a whip-cracking producer, forms a vague central thread from which sketches hang. Musical numbers also feature, including one ‘white boy diss track’ about the sketch duo performing directly upstairs. Lyrics are sloppier than the spoken sections and often take too long to arrive at a punchline but that’s perhaps just a reflection of the pace of the rest of the show. Pear’s sketches are varied and dynamic, creatively oscillating between fairly high and extremely low brow. Whether it's the herculean height, twin star power or sheer talent, it feels like the McPherson’s are destined for greatness. 

Patrick & Hugo McPherson: Pear, Underbelly Cowgate, until 25 August, 7.20pm.