Casting is set for the London premiere of Lifeline, a new musical tracking Alexander Fleming's word-changing discovery of penicillin in 1928, which will play the Southwark Playhouse Elephant March 28-May 2.

The work, which features music and lyrics by Robin Hiley and a book by Becky Hope-Palmer, previously played two sold-out runs at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, then titled The Mould That Changed the World. The musical was also seen Off-Broadway, with its current title, in 2024.

The London cast will feature Alan Vicary (Girl From the North Country, The Phantom of the Opera) as Alexander Fleming, Maz McGinlay (Hairspray), Nathan Salstone (Sweeney Todd, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Kieran Brown (Les Misérables, Love Never Dies), Helen Logan, Robbie Scott, and Kelly Glyptis plus ensemble members Hannah Visocchi, Jasmine Jules Andrews, and Graham Richardson. Alex Howarth directs.

Each performance will also feature a different chorus of nurses, doctors, scientists, microbiologists, vets, and dentists, appearing alongside the professional cast and a six-piece band.

Lifeline is set in 1950 as Scottish scientist Fleming is at the height of his fame, but his heart is torn as he falls in love with Greek resistance fighter and scientist Amalia Voureka, who must return home. Meanwhile, in present-day Edinburgh, junior doctor Jess faces the unthinkable when her estranged childhood sweetheart is rushed to her hospital. 

Composer and lyricist Hiley said in a statement, “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.”

The upcoming production will also feature music contributions by James Ross, musical direction by Neil Metcalfe, choreography by Leanne Pinder, set design by Abby Clarke, costume design by Alice McNicholas, sound design by Paul Smith, and lighting design by Matthew Craigen.

A concept album of Lifeline, featuring Aaron Lazar, Arielle Jacobs, Salstone, and Jay Armstrong Johnson, can be streamed here.

For ticket information visit SouthwarkPlayhouse.co.uk.