Teamwork makes the Dream Work sounds like a serious title, but we have a stand-up comic in front of us who declares he hates collaboration. Such a contradiction is how Sandy Burton begins his performance at the Cavern Bar.  

“Being left in the car the day I was born” is his pet peeve, “so I’ve got a few things to get off my chest.” And he proceeds to do just that, to the delight and frequent laughter of a deserved full house.

Claiming that his material is carefully curated arouses the suspicion that it probably isn’t. We get observations on the positioning of the loo, Christopher Luxon’s singular vision and the dangers of email. A high point is a superbly worked dialogue between a property developer and his wife. Mike Hosking and Duncan Garner are also targets. A wry calculation about how much money a typical performer of Burton’s ilk actually receives for all the work put into a performance would provoke nods of recognition from those in the know.

Burton’s material is fresh and thankfully lacking in the all too familiar elements of stand-up that ultimately detract – short cuts, cheap shots and swear words. He’s clearly at home with himself and us. The laughs he gets are honestly earned. He incorporates a war poem, albeit written in 1792, in the manner of a so-called performance poet, and indulges in some audience participation that couldn’t have been planned – and yet?

Our performer even gifts us with his awareness that despite his talent, we would probably appreciate where he’s heading in a 60-minute show. The best way to do that is to reference his title and its implications. Jacinda’s team of five million is the closest he gets to serious. Unless you count his domestic happiness with wife, child and dog – his very own dream team. All stand-up fans should see this show. And so should those who do it.

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