BSAC is proud to be a long-standing partner of LIFELINE and to lead the ‘halo’ programme of outreach and education activities.
LIFELINE is a musical theatre production that uses the arts to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance. Through music and story telling, LIFELINE celebrates the AMR workforce who work hard across the world to treat, prevent, detect, research, communicate, advocate against and tackle infections.
The musical tells the story of Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin and his caution to the world to use this precious lifeline wisely. Alongside this is a modern day narrative of a paediatric doctor facing the realities of loss and sorrow that drug-resistant infections cause.
LIFELINE shows that behind every extraordinary feat are ordinary people
…none more so than the chorus of volunteer healthcare workers, scientists, vets, teachers, policymakers, and communicators who star in the show and tell their own stories on stage. They give the audience home; and LIFELINE gives them a community and comradery that stays with them long after the curtains close. An evaluation published in Nature Medicine showed that past chorus members went on to become AMR advocates and leaders in their places of work and communities, because they were inspired, empowered and equipped with the skills to do so.
BSAC has been a driver of LIFELINE for almost a decade, bringing its messages to the Edinburgh Fringe, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and New York – where it became the first musical to ever perform on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly. In 2026, LIFELINE made its debut in London, reaching over 10,000 people and catalysing coverage on national and local news.
BSAC leads LIFELINE’s halo programme
which puts knowledge, change-making and community at its heart. It helps audiences go one step further by inspiring action. In addition to a special gala night hosted by Chair of the APPG on AMR, Dr. Beccy Cooper, and UK Special Envoy on AMR, Professor Dame Sally Davies, panel discussions put a spotlight on the tangible action happening at individual, local, national and global levels – encouraging audiences to turn their curiosity into a campaign.
Over 90 local school students came to see the show for free
part of our commitment to share science and theatre with the young people who are future leaders on AMR. The LIFELINE team and chorus delivered a workshop at a school in Camberwell which explored the science behind the show and the important role of bacteria and antibiotics in our lives. The workshop encouraged discussion about careers in the NHS, how young people can engage with MPs to influence change, and the importance of communication between healthcare workers and patients. To bring these topics to life, the students were taught choreography to a song about the need for antimicrobial stewardship, and devised some short dramatic pieces taking on roles of patients, doctors, and even bacteria!
You can read more about BSAC’s role in this incredible, powerful and unique project here, including about our very own Alicia Demirjian’s experience as a chorus member in the show.
Follow along to see what’s next! We have high ambitions to take LIFELINE and its messages across the UK, EU and India… if you could help secure support and funding to bring LIFELINE to your city, please contact Claire.