A new musical exploring the critical issue of antibiotic resistance has premiered in London, featuring a 60-strong chorus of NHS healthcare professionals.
“Lifeline” intertwines the historical discovery of penicillin by Sir Alexander Fleming at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington in 1928 with a contemporary narrative focusing on a junior doctor in Edinburgh.
The production seeks to underscore the urgency of addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a crisis presciently warned against by Fleming himself decades ago.
Prof Ashley Brown, a consultant at St Mary’s with 25 years of service, remarked on the benefits, stating that “singing is good for the heart.”
Brown described the challenge of balancing his clinical duties with rehearsal commitments, often attending the theatre during breaks before returning to his responsibilities on the wards.
The production’s chorus is exclusively comprised of medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and microbiologists.
“Everyone should sing more often,” Brown advocated.
“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 member of the cast, noted that while navigating the demands of the doctor’s rota required meticulous planning and shift adjustments, the performance experience offered a unique form of invigoration.
“It’s kind of energising in a different way. I never feel tired when I leave the theatre, even if I felt tired when I came in.”
The musical, penned by Robin Hiley and Becky Hope-Palmer, previously made history as the first of its kind to be staged on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly in 2024.
The production’s arrival at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant follows successful engagements at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Producer Robin Hiley, whose wife is a palliative care physician, acknowledged that the failure of antibiotics might seem an unconventional subject for musical theatre.
“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,” he stated.
“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.”
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