A new musical that addresses the pressing issue of antibiotic resistance has premiered in London, featuring a cast of 60 healthcare professionals from the NHS.
Entitled Lifeline, the production narrates the historical discovery of penicillin by Sir Alexander Fleming at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington in 1928, intertwining this story with a modern-day plot centered on a junior doctor in Edinburgh.
Addressing a Global Crisis
The aim of the musical is to shed light on the critical situation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a concern that Fleming himself foresaw many years ago. Prof. Ashley Brown, a consultant at St Mary's who has dedicated 25 years to the institution, remarked,
„Singing is good for the heart.“
Brown shared the challenges of juggling his clinical duties with rehearsals, often making his way to the theater during breaks before returning to patient care.
Chorus of Medical Professionals
The cast includes a diverse group of medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and microbiologists. Brown expressed his belief in the therapeutic benefits of singing, stating,
„Everyone should sing more often. I think we should be able to prescribe singing on the NHS because I think it would cure a lot of ills.“
Dr. Mainga Bhima, another performer in the production, noted that balancing the demands of a doctor’s schedule required meticulous planning and shift adjustments. However, she found that the act of performing invigorated her in a unique way.
„It’s kind of energizing in a different way. I never feel tired when I leave the theater, even if I felt tired when I came in,“
she said.
A Unique Theatrical Experience
The musical, crafted by Robin Hiley and Becky Hope-Palmer, previously made headlines as the first musical to be staged at the United Nations General Assembly in 2024. Following its successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Lifeline has now found its home at the Southwark Playhouse in Elephant and Castle, where it will run until May 2.
Producer Robin Hiley, whose spouse works as a palliative care physician, acknowledged that the theme of antibiotic failure might not seem like a conventional topic for a musical. He explained,
„On the face of it, a musical about antibiotics not working doesn’t necessarily strike you as something that’s a traditional subject matter for a musical. Now I think it’s quite an easy sell. It’s talking about something that’s relevant to every single one of us on this planet.“
For more information, visit the official website of the musical.
Bildquelle: Foto von The Transport Enthusiast DC auf Unsplash
