You know Brynley Stent. The very funny comedian and actor has a wide-ranging CV, having appeared in Funny Girls, Jono & Ben, Shortland Street, Dai’s House Party, 7 Days, and some of Chris Parker’s lockdown Instagram videos (he’s her flatmate).
She’s also part of the weekly comedy collective SNORT, and currently features in the TVNZ series Taskmaster NZ - with a wonderful wardrobe of local fashion, that she’s sharing on her Instagram.
From November 19, Brynley is on-stage as part of the Basement Theatre’s annual Christmas show/fundraiser, Le Basement XXXMas Cabaret - described as an adults only comedy-musical, written by Kura Forrester & Hayley Sproull and also starring Ava Diakhaby and Bryony Skillington with a special musical guest each night.
The annual Christmas shows are always a festive good time, with a tradition of special surprise appearances (past surprises have included Suzy Cato, David Fane, Chlöe Swarbrick, Lily McManus, Rose Matafeo, Jacinda Ardern).
Ahead of the show, Auckland-based, Christchurch-born Brynley shares a few things she's into, from nut butter to the ultimate board game for these unprecedented times.
Fix and Fogg Kindness Spread, $25
I LOVE NUT BUTTER. I'm a fiend and I've actually had to limit my consumption because I was just eating it by the jarful. It's a problem. But when Fix and Fogg came out with their Kindness Spread (aka chocolate hazelnut butter), I had to have it. The spread was made to celebrate World Kindness Day and all the proceeds go towards Good Bitches Baking, an equally cool company who help out people having a tough time by baking them delicious treats.
An electric bike
Fun, easy to ride, gets me places sometimes faster than my car, easy to park and environmentally friendly. An E-bike is not cheap, but my god, it's worth every penny - plus, once you have it, you save money on things like petrol and rego fees! There are more cycleways popping up over our busier cities now too, so you can get places without having to share the road with the scary cars. I got mine from The Electric Bike Team, but check Trade Me for some second hand bargains.
Layplan
I was lucky enough to be dressed in Layplan for the final episode of Taskmaster NZ. As soon as I put the dress on, I knew I had to have it, so I messaged them and begged them to sell me the last pink one they had in stock. The clothing is also size-inclusive which I think is rad. Lavinia and Talia (who own the business and make the garments) are also the sweetest angels you'll ever meet!
Ottolenghi SIMPLE, $60
The best freaking cookbook around. So many tasty dishes and surprisingly easy (I should have known though as it's in the title). Yotam Ottolenghi is an Israeli-English chef whose dishes are packed with flavours from his Israeli background. My copy of this book is well-loved, and you can tell because it's covered in food splatters. Great wedding gift!
General Sleep gingham pyjama set, $245
I'd live in my pyjamas if I could - and thanks to companies like General Sleep, now I can. I sometimes wear the top out as a shirt or even the bottoms can be worn as shorts in the summer. The fabric is so soft and light, and perfect for hot Auckland nights.
Pandemic - The Board Game
Feeling helpless due to Covid-19? Well the best way to combat that is to play a game where you are a group of scientists and disease exports fighting off a deadly pandemic and saving the world! I love this game - it's a perfect mix of luck and tactics, and the best part is that you play collaboratively, so it avoids any Monopoly-like arguments.
Brynley stars in Le Basement XXXmas Cabaret, which is Basement Theatre's annual Christmas show fundraiser, playing November 19 – December 19. Find all the information and buy tickets here.
