NORTHERN Irish humour is as inbred as sectarianism, yet rarely the twain did meet until the Hole in the Wall Gang got their teeth into the farce that passes for politics in the North.
Their irreverent take on sectarianism and sociopolitical relations was among the first cracks in the comedy taboo on politics. No small feat, and in the process they have revitalised the comedy circuit there.
The Gang's list of radio and TV credits is lengthy: the shows which won have them a devout audience include the Radio Ulster show A Perforated Ulster, the award winning TV comedy Two Ceasefires And A Wedding, and their BBC NI TV series, Friday Night Live.
With their live show at the Belfast Arts Theatre next week, performing material written for and aimed at a Northern audience, they are returning to their roots - they started on the theatre circuit back in 1989.
Their characters will include Kyle and Kylie, two unionists with absolutely no sense of humour. And then there's the Sinn Feiners, political parrots who constantly interrupt each other to interject stock phrases, and as a result never quite manage to say anything. Where there is sectarian tension, there can be found the Hole in the Wall Gang, ready to inject a stiletto wit into the argument.
The show will also feature stand up stints from Tim and Nuala McKeever and music from Eamonn Friel. Expect some improvisation as the Gang feeds off the crowd and off each other.
Gang member Tim McGarry says the show is aimed at "anyone who loves our nasty, black, satirical, cynical add negative sense of humour".
Later in the summer, the Gang start a BBC Radio 2 sketch show called Half Sketch, Half Biscuit. They won't be taking their eye off the home audience, foibles and all. "You couldn't beat our wee audience here in the province," says Tim, adding: "You might like to, but you couldn't."