A short film exploring intergenerational perspectives of World War II is set to be released on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The National Theatre’s The Next Morning features award-winning actors Julian Glover and Sian Phillips and presents interconnected stories reflecting the end of the war.
The film will premiere on 8 May during the VE Day 80 concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Additionally, an interactive mobile exhibition will tour the UK, beginning in Coventry—the British city most affected by air raids during the war.
The For Evermore Tour, created by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), will showcase personal war stories collected from the public, funded by the Post Office Remembrance Fellowship. The tour starts at Coventry Cathedral on 2 May, where a concert will also take place to commemorate VE Day 80, with proceeds going to the charitable arm of the CWGC.
Claire Horton, director general at the CWGC, emphasized the importance of preserving and sharing the stories of those who died in the World Wars. “By collecting these stories, we’ve created a lasting tribute to the men and women from across the Commonwealth who sacrificed their lives,” she said.
The CWGC’s Torch for Peace will also travel with the exhibition, passing through iconic UK landmarks, sharing stories of the fallen with future generations.
On 8 May, The Next Morning, written by James Graham, will air at the VE Day concert. The film features Julian Glover (90), known for his roles in James Bond, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars, alongside Sian Phillips (91), a Bafta-winning actress, and Joseph Mydell from Conclave. The concert is expected to draw over 12,500 attendees, including war veterans, with an additional 2,500 young people watching live.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated that the concert, the National Theatre’s film, and the exhibition will help honor the sacrifice of those who fought for peace, ensuring that their legacy is passed on to future generations.
The VE Day 80 concert will be broadcast live on BBC One at 8:00 PM BST.
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