Pharmacists have joined the cast of a hit musical that reminds the public of the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The ‘Lifeline’ show has been running at Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London since March 28, dramatising the early history of antibiotics and their present-day challenges.
The Scottish folk musical originally ran back at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2018 and 2022. It was also showcased at the UK Houses of Parliament and the Vatican in Rome.
It was redeveloped ahead of its off-Broadway run at Signature Theatre in 2024 to include the stories of patients that reflect the impact of AMR today.
The musical now features a medical chorus of over 60 nurses, doctors, scientists and pharmacists who work within, or come across, AMR in their day jobs.
They sing and act alongside the professional cast, and the chorus of healthcare professionals changes every week during the London run.
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Whittington Health NHS Trust specialist infection pharmacist Shay Khan is one of the pharmacists in the musical. He told C+D he saw the chance to take part in ‘Lifeline’ as a way “to bring together my love for theatre and the work I do in antimicrobial stewardship”.
He also said it’s inspired him to set up his own fashion show to raise awareness of AMR.
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“I’m working with one of our consultants who leads on antimicrobial stewardship with me to set up an AMR fashion show,” he said.
“It’s given me a really good insight into how theatre works, what the magic of theatre really is, and it’s been a life-changing opportunity.
“Coming to a play like this and watching them perform and give life to what it means to lose someone to AMR, or to be impacted by AMR, it hits on a different level.”
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Half of the musical follows Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming in 1950, after he discovered the world’s first antibiotic, penicillin.
It sees him worry over inappropriate use of antibiotics, as well as following his love story with fellow scientist Amalia Voureka.
The other half of the musical is set in present-day Edinburgh as junior doctor Jess faces the reality of AMR as her childhood sweetheart Aaron is rushed to the hospital she works in.
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The musical’s patron, UK special envoy on AMR Professor Dame Sally Davies, said combining theatre and music to tell the story of AMR will remind the public that “tackling societal issues is not only about science or political will, but about all of us – how we act, what we value, and what we choose to protect”.
“The power of ‘Lifeline’ was clear when it was performed at the United Nations General Assembly in 2024” she added.
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“The lyrics about inequity and antibiotic pollution made diplomats sit up and realise what was at stake, and what they could do to make a difference.”
‘Lifeline’ will be running until May 2 in London.
