If you discovered Taskmaster during COVID-19 or the lockdowns that followed, you may recall Kiwi Brynley Stent’s problem-solving efforts in NZ’s season 1 (2020).
Even beyond such a trial, the world still holds challenges, and maybe your own eccentric way of handling these is perfectly valid. We get a view of this, from time to time, in Stent’s sketch comedy show Soft Carnage – a surprising blend of the serious and silly.
The show’s memorable yet slippery title suggests (maybe?) that there are some forms of death which are easier to deal with than others. Stent would explore some of these through snappy scenes. One example was talking to an old schoolmate, learning of the passing of another, and trying to not be too obvious in seeking the juicy details.
Sometimes Stent would address us, such as when sharing her views on what should happen to her after her demise. There were also some very goofy interludes where hapless audience members were victims of Stent’s unpredictable nature, delivering some good laughs.
However, much of the show concerns time with a therapist, and Stent’s persistent use of comedy to deflect scrutiny of her feelings. The show’s various detours, often with projected video, sound effects, and crisply integrated lighting and musical cues, were often very amusing.
Stent has an energetic approach to her characters (a comparison of approaches to night-time toilet visits was a standout) that keeps the action rolling along. There’s also a laudable commitment to props, shown most strongly in the bonkers finale, after many story threads were effectively brought together.
Overall, this was a very satisfying tour of the labyrinth of oddities that is Brynley Stent’s brain. Those looking for something rather different at MICF 2025 will find the combination of dark humour and unexpected scenes delivers a body-bag full of memorable moments.
Brynley Stent: Soft Carnage
The Boardroom – Victoria Hotel, Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Performance: Wednesday 9 April 2025 – 9:10pm
Season continues to 20 April 2025
Information and Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au
Image: Brynley Stent (supplied)
Review: Jason Whyte