The twins play the same roles in a look inspired by the classic Chinese animation Calabash Brothers. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Their uncertainty dissolved in 2021 with the debut of the comic competition reality program Super Sketch Show, which brings together scriptwriters and comedians to create sketches over the course of multiple rounds of competition.

The most common form of comedy featured on the show is sketch, which is typically comprised of a series of short, entertaining scenes or vignettes usually lasting between one and 10 minutes.

"After watching the program, we felt that sketches were precisely the type of comedy we had always wanted to pursue," says Gao Yue. "This inclusive form seems to encompass all the whimsical ideas we have."

He adds that performing sketches on stage reminds him of the days when he and his brother re-created classic comedy skits at family gatherings.

"It's like we're telling a group of people who like us, 'I have a little show for you all, let's see if it makes you laugh'," says Gao Yue.

They describe their productions as "single-cell comedies" and their primary goal is to entertain.

"When it comes to film and drama, I think of myself as genuinely portraying a character, not just myself. But when I'm doing a sketch, I feel like I am still me, I just happen to wear the hat belonging to a specific character as I perform for the audience," says Gao Yue.