AMR musical is the ‘beginning’ of a movement to protect antibiotics

A musical raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the beginning of a ‘true movement’ to safeguard antibiotics, a former chief medical officer has said.

Speaking at a performance of the musical Lifeline Professor Dame Sally Davies described the musical as a ‘celebration’ of what the AMR community has achieved so far and the ‘beginning’ of a bigger movement.

Speaking to the audience after the show last week, she added: ‘With your leadership, imagination and influence, we can build a true movement to celebrate and protect one of the UK’s greatest contributions to humankind.’

The production follows two parallel stories, an ageing Alexander Fleming trying to alert people to the dangers of AMR in the 1950s and in the present day junior doctor Jess trying to find a treatment for her estranged childhood sweetheart Aaron’s antibiotic-resistant infection.

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Prof Davies, who was chief medical officer for England from 2010 to 2019, said that during her time as a practising doctor it was the ‘most frightening thing’ when an antibiotic would not work.

She is now the UK special envoy on AMR and a patron of Lifeline, working with leaders around the world to tackle the problem and safeguard antibiotics.

Photography by Charlie Flint

Her comments came the same week Dr Colin Brown, head of AMR and deputy director of epidemic and emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warned that AMR is on the rise following the Covid pandemic.

Speaking at a Westminster Health Forum conference on AMR on 21 April, he said: ‘We have seen a 4% increase in bloodstream infections [since the end of the pandemic], but a 13% increase in resistance. That’s a worrying trend because infections are going up a bit, but resistance is going up more.’

He added that these are not abstract figures but represent a real threat to people’s lives. A study published in The Lancet in 2024 predicted that antibiotic-resistant infections could cause more than 39 million deaths across the world by 2050.

Lifeline was written and produced by the Charades Theatre Company with the scientific guidance of Dr Meghan Perry, a consultant in infectious diseases at Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and an honorary senior clinical lecturer.

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The show became the first ever musical to perform on the floor of the United Nation’s (UN) general assembly in 2024 and made its London premiere last month at Southwark Playhouse Elephant.

Photography by Charlie Flint

The production features a West End cast alongside a chorus of real healthcare professionals and scientists whose daily work connects directly to antibiotic stewardship and infection control.

Performer Shay Khan is a specialist infection pharmacist and advanced clinical practitioner at Whittington Health NHS Trust. He splits his time between caring for patients with complex infections and leading antimicrobial stewardship across the hospital.

He said: ‘AMR is a global health threat that has gone under-recognised for far too long, but I believe the tide is finally turning. Lifeline represents a powerful and innovative way to raise public awareness and inspire meaningful, lasting change.’

Nature Medicine published an article in May 2025 showing that more than 80% of the musical’s volunteers went on to discuss AMR with family, friends and colleagues.

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AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, and it is driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals and plants.

For more information about the show go to www.lifelinemusical.com