Drama warning of dangers of underage drinking visits Knutsford Academy

International educational theatre production ‘Smashed’ helps secondary school pupils understand the facts, causes and consequences of alcohol.

The interactional show will be visiting Knutsford Academy on Tuesday, October 22 as part of a tour of a dozen schools in Cheshire.

READ > Discover Knutsford's best attractions and hidden gems on new website

This groundbreaking project is now in its 20th year and has been delivered to students in 38 countries around the world.

The production uses professional actors (Image: Supplied)

Combining drama with interactive workshops, ‘Smashed’ uses professional actors to present a 25-minute performance.

This is followed by a 35-minute workshop where participants reflect on the themes and answer questions about the choices made by the characters.

The drama is produced by Collingwood Learning and supported by British alcoholic beverage company Diageo.

The production helps pupils to understand the facts, causes and consequences of underage drinking (Image: Supplied)

Nuno Teles, managing director at Diageo GB, said: “I am so proud that ‘Smashed’ has reached its 20th year in Great Britain.

“This really is a testament to the incredible impact of the programme worldwide, consistently delivering a fantastic learning experience for young people with a proven significant increase in understanding of the dangers of underage drinking.

“At Diageo, we are deeply committed to tackling underage drinking.

“We hope that students we are visiting across Cheshire will not only gain valuable insights from the performances, but also leave better informed and prepared to make responsible choices about alcohol.”

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by fostering a culture of health and wellbeing among adolescents, a critical demographic for instilling lifelong healthy habits.

‘Smashed’ does not merely inform, it transforms attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol consumption among young people.

In the last school year, 73 per cent of students in Britain said they were less likely to drink alcohol underage following the performance.

Chris Simes, managing director at Collingwood Learning, said: “We are excited to return to Cheshire with Smashed Live in autumn 2024.

“Despite the progress made in reducing underage drinking across Britain, it remains crucial to continue reinforcing our message.

“Our team is eager to engage young people in Cheshire about the ongoing health and social risks of drinking underage.”

Smashed works in close collaboration with Community Alcohol Partnerships, an organisation which brings together councils, police, retailers, schools, health providers, and community groups across the UK to reduce alcohol related harm among young people.

In the past decade, the UK has made positive progress in reducing levels of underage drinking.

However, data from the UK Government shows that hospital admissions for alcohol-specific conditions among under 18 in Cheshire West are above England’s national average.

Diageo is committed to promoting moderation and tackling alcohol harm across the UK.

It has supported ‘Smashed’ since it began in 2005.

The programme, developed in consultation with young people and recognised for its educational impact, has a proven positive impact.

The latest UK evaluation report indicates that after attending a ‘Smashed’ session: • 83 per cent of students stated they had ‘some’ or ‘lots’ of knowledge about the risks of drinking alcohol underage.

• 89 per cent of students stated that they feel equipped to make the right choices about drinking alcohol.

• 87 per cent of students stated that if they or someone they knew were having problems with alcohol, they would know where to get help.

• 73 per cent of students stated that they were less likely to drink alcohol underage following the Smashed performance.

With a goal to educate 10 million young people by 2030, the programme expanded in 2021 with Smashed Online, which uses filmed clips, interactive tools, and assessments that can be completed in schools or from home.