Behind every extraordinary feat are ordinary people. This is their story
Inspired by Scotsman Sir Alexander Fleming, connecting the urgent reality of antimicrobial resistance with powerful human stories, Life Line makes its highly-anticipated London premiere this spring. A new Scottish musical about one moment that changed history, two love stories seventy years apart, infused with nostalgic Scottish folk sounds and foot-stomping rhythms.
Fresh from an acclaimed debut off-Broadway run; a history-making performance as the first musical to ever perform at the United Nations (2024) and two previous sell-out runs at Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2018 and 2022 as The Mould That Changed The World), this brand-new production today announces its 10 strong West-End and Broadway musical theatre cast.
It’s 1950 and Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming is at the height of his fame. His discovery of penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic, is being hailed as a miracle cure that will change medicine forever. But his heart is torn as he falls in love with Greek resistance fighter and scientist Amalia Voureka, who must return home. In present-day Edinburgh, junior doctor Jess faces the unthinkable when her estranged childhood sweetheart is rushed to her hospital. Old feelings resurface, traditional cures are put to the test and critical decisions must be made.
Life Line is inspired by real historical events, real voices and a real modern day global crisis. Each performance features a different chorus of nurses, doctors, scientists, microbiologists, vets and dentists, appearing alongside the professional cast and a six-piece band, making every night genuinely unique.
In the Chorus are top doctors: Baktash Khozoee (UCLH Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology doctor); Seif Shaheen (Professor of Epidemiology, Queen Mary University of London); Aimée Mutambo (Lead Medicines Optimisation Pharmacist – NHS South East London ICB); Babs Kell (Senior Vice President at Nucleus Global a medical communications company); Madi Oliver (Paediatric trainee doctor hoping to sub-specialise in paediatric infectious diseases).
Book by Becky Hope-Palmer. Composer and Lyricist Robin Hiley, the creative force behind the musical says: “Almost a century since the discovery of penicillin, and 80 years since Sir Alexander Fleming’s Nobel Prize address, his early warnings about antimicrobial resistance have never felt more prophetic. This timely musical is a celebration of the everyday people who make the extraordinary happen – and a heartfelt love letter to the medical community: past, present and future. I hope audiences will be entertained, uplifted and feel connected to these real-world stories and the message it carries that affects us all.”
Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, London, SE11 4RX from 28 March – 2 May.
Booking and full details: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/lifeline/
