Riss Obolensky: Stinky Little Pilgrim

Brand new work-in-progress from award-winning clown, drag king, Riss Obolensky, creator ofHealing King Herod

For centuries, mystics, prophets and holy men have traversed the lands in search of enlightenment. For one night only, this guy is going to walk around The Wardrobe Theatre with a tent.Stinky Little Pilgriminvites you on a hero’s journey into the Great Unknown.

Join award winning clown Riss Obolensky for a foolish exploration of how we find meaning in crisis. For 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus asked “WHY?” For 60 minutes, this pilgrim asks: “WHERE… is the nearest exit?” This fresh hour is a medieval voyage into the absurd. It is a deep calling to pack a bag, trust our guts and leave this rotting medieval town (read: Bristol). Get lost. Get found. Get lost again. Call your mum.Stinky Little Pilgrimis part reckoning, part ritual, part prayer. Or none of the above. We’ll find out together.

Riss Obolenskyis a clown and theatre-maker with a background in physical comedy, sketch and fooling. Their solo showHealing King Herodreached critical acclaim at its Underbelly run in Edinburgh Fringe, following its sell out run at VAULT Festival. It came to The Wardrobe Theatre for a sellout run in 2023, and Soho Theatre for another sellout run in March 2025. Their second show,Avrilganger, was programmed at Shoreditch Town Hall 2025. Their latest WIP has come to Jackson’s Lane, London Clown Festival and Shoreditch Town Hall. People are liking it so far. Lace up your hiking boots, sit immediately back down, and watch this work-in-progress meditation on life, death and the in-between.

“Unmissable.”
★★★★ The Skinny

“Magnetic.”
★★★★1⁄2 The Reviews Hub

“Brilliantly weird.”
★★★★ Fringe Biscuit

“Ridiculous.”
★★★★ Three Weeks