Alcohol Education Roadshow Returns to Ellen Wilkinson

Diageo funded scheme focuses on dangers of underage drinking

Smashed is returning to the school for the second year in a row

March 4, 2025

An international educational theatre production which highlights the dangers of underage drinking is returning to the area.

‘Smashed’ has been touring Great Britain for twenty years and, to mark this milestone is embarking on its most extensive programme of events included another visit to Ellen Wilkinson school.

The girls’ school on Queen’s Drive will be hosting a performance on Wednesday (5 March) one of 9 schools in Greater London to do so over the week. It is a return to the school for the alcohol education programme which also staged a show there last year.

Smashed aims to provide a crucial lesson on the risks of underage drinking, in an effort to reduce underage drinking and its associated harms among young people.

It is produced by Collingwood Learning and supported by Diageo and has delivered educational performances to students in 38 countries around the world. It utilises a combination of live theatre performances, interactive workshops and digital experiences. Combining drama with interactive workshops, Smashed uses professional actors to present a 25-minute performance followed by a 35-minute workshop where participants reflect on the themes and answer questions about the choices made by the characters.

This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by fostering a culture of health and well-being among adolescents, a critical demographic for instilling lifelong healthy habits. In the 2023 – 2024 school year, 73 % of students in Great Britain said they were less likely to drink alcohol underage following the Smashed performance.

Smashed works in close collaboration with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs), 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. Data from the UK Government shows that hospital admissions for alcohol-specific conditions among under 18s in Greater London are below England’s national average (13.6 per 100,000 versus 22.6 per 100,000).

Nearly three quarters of students say they are less likely to drink after attending one of the performances

Chris Simes, Managing Director at Collingwood Learning, said, “We are excited to return to Greater London with Smashed Live in Spring 2025. Despite the progress made in reducing underage drinking across Great Britain, it remains crucial to continue reinforcing our message, and our team is eager to engage young people across Greater London about the ongoing health and social risks of drinking underage.”

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. At Diageo, we are deeply committed to tackling underage drinking and we hope that the students we are visiting across Greater London will not only gain valuable insights from the performances but also leave better informed and prepared to make responsible choices about alcohol.”

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.

In addition to the live interactive workshop, ‘Smashed’ provides support for schools in delivering vital Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE). Schools not reached by the live tour also have the opportunity to take part in Smashed Online. To find out more, click here.