Lifeline is an internationally-touring two-time Edinburgh Fringe sell-out musical

INSPIRED BY THE LIFE OF SIR ALEXANDER FLEMING AND TRUE STORIES ABOUT THE IMPACT OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

Lifeline tells the story of Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming’s world-changing discovery of penicillin in 1928, charting the rise and fall of antibiotics. Fleming’s historic story is interwoven with Jess’, a present day doctor whose childhood sweetheart, Aaron, is recovering from cancer treatment, almost 100 years after antibiotics were discovered. But just as Aaron is desperate to resume normality and rekindle the romance, his life hangs in the balance, as he waits to see if Fleming’s miracle cure will still work well enough to save him.

The musical is a two-time Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell-out (2018 and 2022). It has toured to London, Glasgow and the east coast of the USA (2022). It has also been showcased at the UK Houses of Parliament and in Barbados for Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Previously entitled The Mould that Changed the World, the show underwent significant re-development in 2023 to incorporate numerous modern day patient stories that the producers had collected from around the world.

A concept album of the re-invented show is due for release on NYC-based Center Stage Records in late July 2024. The album will feature members of the original cast as well as friends from Broadway. Lifeline will debut Off-Broadway at Signature Theatre in late August 2024.

Lifeline gives a voice to the people who fight against antibiotic resistance every day by not only telling patient stories, but featuring local scientists and healthcare professionals alongside the show’s touring professional company. Visit the news section to read more about Lifeline’s ‘healthcare heroes’, past and present.

WHAT IS AMR?

Five million people a year die from illness linked to antibiotic resistance. It just might be the biggest threat to humanity you have never heard of.

Antibiotics are drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria and only bacteria. In the past eighty years they have saved millions of lives. Antibiotic resistance, a type of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is a natural process allowing bacteria to evolve defenses that renders our drugs less effective. If we used antibiotics sensibly, only when we really needed them, we might have enough time to halt the spread of resistance through the population and develop new drugs to fight infection. 

Unfortunately, we overuse antibiotics to treat infections that might improve by themselves, that are caused by viruses, and we even use them to fatten animals raised in the meat industry. This overuse has led to the creation of superbugs, bacteria that are resistant to most or all of the antibiotics we throw at them. These resistant bacteria are now linked to about 5 million deaths globally every year. Without urgent action, this number is only going to rise.

THE LIFELINE PROJECT PODCAST

The Lifeline Project explores the science and the process behind the musical.

APPLE PODCASTS SPOTIFY

WHAT CAN WE DO?

AMR can affect anyone. But that means everyone has the power to help solve the problem. Take a SEAT and help.

Stopping the spread of infection by improving hygiene where possible will stop the need to antibiotics in the first place.

Educating the public about the problem is an important way to protect against superbugs. You can find resources here: https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/prevention/index.html

Take the advice of your healthcare provider and never demand antibiotics from them!

Please take the information you learn and share it with friends and family! Storytelling is what the theatre business does best and is the reason we can play an important role in spreading the word about AMR. Will you help us?