Lifeline

Your First Look

Videography: Pip Films

Behind every extraordinary feat are ordinary people. This is their story.

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 without him.

Fast forward to present-day Edinburgh. Junior doctor Jess faces the unthinkable when her estranged childhood sweetheart is rushed to her hospital. As old feelings resurface and old cures are put to the test, critical decisions must be made.

Starring a chorus of real-life nurses, doctors, vets, dentists and scientists alongside a professional cast, these remarkable – and true – stories celebrate the everyday people who make the extraordinary happen.

Expect heart, humour and toe-tapping Scottish tunes as Lifeline makes its highly anticipated London premiere: fresh from a debut run off-Broadway, and after making history as the first musical to ever perform at the United Nations.

Access Performances

Captioned Performance: Wednesday 22 April, 7pm

Details

Theatre: Main Space

Monday – Saturday: 7pm

Thursday & Saturday: 2.30pm

Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes including interval

No re-entry.

We strongly advise that you arrive early and take your seats in advance of the start time as there is a no latecomers policy.

Please be aware that this is a live event so the end time may vary slightly.

Technical guidance

This production contains haze, flashing lights/strobe and loud noises.

Content Guidance

This production contains strong language and features themes of death, terminal illness and grief.

Recommended for ages 12+.

Please contact us if you require any further information.

Please note:

Show guidance may be updated ahead of performances.

Captioned Performance: Wednesday 22 April, 7pm

Post Show Events

All Lifeline post show events are being held after the evening (7pm) performance. Entry is free with a ticket to the same day’s evening performance.

Wednesday 8 April – Post show Panel: Beyond the stage – tackling antimicrobial resistance together

Why does a musical about antibiotics matter? How can art reach people in ways that data and headlines can’t? And what can each of us, regardless of background, do to be part of the solution?

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with experts from across medicine, science, policy, and the arts as they explore why saving antibiotics demands fresh thinking and unexpected alliances.

This is a conversation about collaboration, creativity, and the power of bringing unlikely voices into the room. All welcome – no science degree required.

Panellists:

Dr Alicia Demirjian – consultant in paediatric infectious diseases and clinical lead for AMR & prescribing, UK Health Security Agency (and Lifeline chorus member!)
Rahul Dwivedi – senior director, Global Antimicrobial R&D Partnership (GARDP)
Rachel Freeman – infectious disease specialist and Trustee at The AMR Narrative
Jo Taylor – vice president, AMR policy, Shionogi Europe
Moderator: Jacqui Thornton, journalist specialising in global health

Thursday 16 April – Post show Panel: “The drugs are in the water, the drugs are in the ground…” Why? What can we do?!

Antibiotics aren’t just in medicine cabinets, they’re all around us, in rivers and waterways, soil and farms. Our nature, planet and biodiversity are shaped by antibiotics too.

This is a story about people and planet, science and everyday life. Hear from the people putting sustainability first, and how cleaner, greener actions can help turn the tide. Together, they will explore the urgent issue of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of sustainable manufacturing.

Panellists:

Robbie Scott, playing Julian in Lifeline
Chris Parry, British Standards Institute
Lorraine Cancro, GSK

Friday 24 April – Post show Panel: Moulding the future: scientists vs fungi

At the heart of Lifeline are stories of healthcare professionals and scientists battling to save our lifesaving antibiotics. But the equally important stories of fungi, fungal infections and antifungal medicines remain largely untold.

Join Seána Duggan and Ange Brennan from the University of Exeter, and meet the people working to make a difference. Step inside the world of researchers and clinicians tackling antifungal resistance, and discover what each of us can do to help confront this growing global threat.

Wednesday 29 April – Post show Panel: What do you want us to do?

Meet the amazing chorus of healthcare workers and scientists lighting up the stage. Hear about their journeys from surgeries to stage, and tap into their expertise to learn more about the global antimicrobial resistance issue that they are all fighting.

Featuring Lifeline chorus members:

Dr Eleri Davies -Deputy Medical Director and Head of AMR programme (HARP) Public Health Wales
Dr Lucy Brunton – Scientist studying how drug-resistant infections spread between animals, people and the environment especially through farming
Dr Michael Du – General Practitioner, Surrey
Sara Davison – Specialist Registrar in Infectious Diseases, Royal London Hospital
(Chair) Anna-May Long – Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Cambridge University Hospitals