A HARD-HITTING portrayal of the perils of underage drinking will be performed to thousands of children across the region this year.

The performance is part of ‘Smashed’ an award-winning alcohol education and awareness programme that has reached more than 333,000 pupils in 1,4000 schools across the UK since its launch in 2005.

This year, more than 4,800 pupils in the North-East will watch the play, which follows a group of friends who get in trouble after misusing alcohol.

An interactive workshop will then take place, with youngsters invited to probe the cast on any of the issues brought up during the play and explore the consequences portrayed by the actors.

‘Smashed’ was developed in consultation with young people. It has been designed to engage with pupils in a different way to typical school lessons to help them understand the facts, causes, and consequences of alcohol misuse and the risks of underage drinking.

Schools set to receive the performance include Parkside Academy in Willington and Whitworth Park School and Sixth Form in Spennymoor.

Jane Sumega, head of personal, social and economic development at Parkside Academy, said: “This will be of real benefit to the children as it will deliver an important message in a dramatic and engaging way.

“Children tend to listen to their peers so if we can encourage them to talk about it amongst themselves the message becomes stronger.”

David Stone, interim headteacher at Whitworth Park School, said: “Whitworth Park is keen to promote awareness of the issues associated with underage drinking.”

The project, sponsored by Diageo and delivered by Collingwood Learning, has been found to have a tangible impact. After watching the play, the percentage of students who felt they knew a lot about the dangers of alcohol misuse increased by 44 per cent. Additionally, students who knew the legal age for buying alcohol increased from 80 per cent to 98 per cent, while students who understand the term peer pressure increased by 20 per cent.

Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, said: “I was pleased to hear that the award-winning alcohol awareness programme ‘Smashed’ would visit Spennymoor during the first month of its UK tour this year. I saw one of these plays at another local school and think they’re a great way of communicating the issues. The combination of an interactive workshop and theatre is an innovative way of explaining the dangers of alcohol misuse.”