A powerful message on the perils of underage drinking

STUDENTS at Ripon Grammar School received a powerful lesson on the perils of underage drinking.

The award-winning alcohol awareness theatre production Smashed used an entertaining live performance to get its hard-hitting message across.

Afterwards, the Year 8 student audience took part in an interactive workshop, during which they were encouraged to engage in meaningful discussion about the facts, causes and consequences of alcohol consumption.

The initiative, which has been running for 20 years, has educated more than 580,000 students in the UK and 5.5 million students globally.

Last year alone, it reached more than 80,000 students in the UK, with 78 per cent saying they were less likely to drink underage after attending a performance.

Ripon Grammar School’s students agreed.

Rupert Day said: “The workshop was really good, inclusive, fun and not boring.

It was a fun way of teaching young people not to drink underage,

or disasters could happen.”

Freya Walls said she enjoyed the live performance: “The characters of Georgie, Mal and Freddie were so well played it felt like you were actually there. I loved how they made sure to include the crowd by asking questions and interacting.

“It was fascinating to learn about the different effects of misusing alcohol and how it can damage you and the people around you.

“Although the story ended with negative consequences, I felt it was an overall positive experience and that everyone could take something away.”

Kimberley Whitehouse said she learnt a lot about the symptoms of underage drinking, while the performance really grabbed her: “Afterwards, they asked us some questions about the presentation, and it really got me thinking about what I had just learnt.

“This presentation is a fantastic way to learn about alcohol misuse for the future. I can’t think of a better way to learn.”

Gerard Tam described it as a captivating experience:“The play's exploration of risks and consequences of underage drinking was fully critiqued through the actors' immersive acting technique, particularly by the two male characters' clash near the end, which led to the female character being severely injured. The expressive use of the actor-audience relationship most certainly added depth to the play and the memory of the audiences, enhancing the overall effect. The production is definitely a must-see for teenagers.”

James Taylor said:“I found it intuitively informative and enjoyable, while keeping to the point and pertinent. They made it understandable for a younger audience, using slang terms, which I thought really caught our attention and made it more interesting and absorbing. It was very educational, spreading the awareness of alcohol and what it can do to you.”

Michele Cho added: “It was very entertaining and amusing. The performers conveyed the message in a very humorous and interactive way. The question-and-answer session afterwards also taught me about and helped me recognise the dangers of under-age drinking, it was a very thoughtful and helpful lesson for us all.”

In addition to the live performances, ‘Smashed Online’ offers an interactive digital version for schools that the tour may not reach, providing even wider access to this vital educational resource.

For more information on the programme, visit smashedproject.org or for schools not on the tour, find out more about the online programme at Smashed Online.

Nuno Teles, managing director at Diageo GB, said: "I am so proud that 'Smashed' has reached its twentieth 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.

*The project is an educational theatre production by Collingwood Learning, supported by Diageo. It aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting health and well-being among adolescents.

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