A new live theatre production called "Wasted" is being created by Leicestershire County Council in partnership with creative teams across the midlands to highlight road safety issues amongst teenagers. The performance involves a stage show and some film footage and is based on a real road accident in Leicestershire which resulted in the death of a teenage girl.

As part of this production four current BTEC Performing Arts Students were cast to appear in the production which will be performed in February 2009 to 6th form students from across Leicestershire and Rutland. Gemma Broad and Rebecca Mason (both 12MNH) and Aaron Flatters and Beth Goodacre (both 13MRD) have been joined on this production by ex-Guthlaxton student Adam Williamson and all 5 were called for filming on Tuesday 16th September. The cast were working on location at a house in Leicester and then out at the site of the real crash in Ratby alongside the film production unit, two professional actors and members of the emergency services to re-create the fatal day.

The students worked incredibly hard and adapted to the demanding nature of the work quickly, professional and with an outstanding sense of responsibility. It was an emotional day as the filming took place at the exact site of the real car crash where the teenager lost her life and tributes were still there for her as the cast arrived. Everyone on the day was impressed with the manner and talent of the Guthlaxton cast and after the filming we received a glowing tribute from Ian Stirling, the Director of VPoint TV Film Company:

“I was very impressed with the young and talented performers cast for "Wasted". They all gave highly convincing performances as the victims of a tragic car accident. In addition, they all had a most professional attitude to the whole filming process. The rushes look fantastic - congratulations to all of them. The finished performance will undoubtedly shock, stun and move audiences, as is the intention, and bring home the message of safe driving to young people.”

Published on Friday 3rd October 2008 at 09:00