The Ballad Of Resurrection Bob is the humourous true story of a 19th century smuggler, in the Devon fishing port of Brixham.

In past centuries, smuggling of silks, tobacco and brandy, was rife along the coasts of the Southwest, and the smugglers invented ever more creative, and in some cases very humourous tactics to evade the law.

In the case of “Resurrection” Bob Elliott, he faked his own death in order to transport contraband to Totnes, under the noses of the coastguards, in a very large coffin. Later that night, the story tells, the local coastguards encountered Bob on the highway, and were convinced that they had seen a ghost. From this escapade, Bob earned his nickname of “Resurrection Bob”.

 

The Smugglers Hotel, in Brixham town centre, is said to have been where Bob lived, at the time of the escapade, and indeed, that is how the hotel earned its name.

 

Performances of The Ballad of Resurrection Bob will take place around Torbay in April and early May, show dates and ticket details at http://southdevonplayers.weebly.com