Julian Glover, Siân Phillips, and Joseph Mydell will appear in the National Theatre’s ‘The Next Morning’ to mark VE Day 80
As the world prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, an impressive lineup of stage and screen stars has been announced to participate in a series of national events. With just one month to go, plans for an unforgettable commemoration are taking shape, aimed at honouring the sacrifices made and ensuring that the stories of those who lived through the conflict are remembered for generations to come.
The National Theatre has unveiled its contribution to the anniversary celebrations with a new film titled ‘The Next Morning’. Written by acclaimed stage and screen writer James Graham, the film features a stellar cast including Julian Glover, Siân Phillips, and Joseph Mydell. Scheduled for online release on 8 May, the short film will explore a series of intimate, interconnected stories that delve into intergenerational perspectives on the end of the Second World War.
‘The Next Morning’ aims to bridge the gap between young people today and the older generation who experienced the war firsthand. By sharing deeply personal histories, the film seeks to challenge contemporary perceptions of the past and highlight the resilience of those who lived through the conflict. To further enhance its educational impact, the film will be accompanied by resources for schools, ensuring that the legacy of the Second World War is preserved and understood by future generations.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has expressed her support for the initiative, stating, “It is absolutely right that we ensure that the stories of those who lived through and fought in the Second World War are remembered by generations to come.” She added, “Through the National Theatre, the VE Day 80 concert and our UK-wide exhibition, we will bring to life the stories of those no longer with us so that the next generation are able to honour their sacrifice and recognise the legacy of peace that they fought to secure.”
In addition to the National Theatre’s film, a major VE Day 80 concert will take place on 8 May. Broadcast live on BBC One at 8pm, the concert promises to be a poignant and memorable event, featuring performances, readings, and moments that capture the essence of VE Day and the nation’s reaction to the end of the Second World War. Expected to draw an audience of over 12,500 people, the concert will include a significant number of Second World War veterans.
Tickets for the VE Day 80 concert are being distributed through various organisations connected to VE Day, such as the Royal British Legion, British Evacuees Association, and Commonwealth War Graves Commission. More than 2,500 young people, including representatives from all 12 Uniformed Youth groups, Duke of Edinburgh ambassadors, #iwill ambassadors, and Commonwealth Scholars, will also attend the concert live on Horse Guards Parade. This initiative aims to ensure that the stories and sacrifices of the veterans are passed on to the next generation.
To extend the commemorations beyond the capital, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will launch the ‘For Evermore Tour’. This interactive mobile exhibition will travel across the UK, beginning in Coventry, a city that suffered one of the most devastating air attacks during the Second World War. The tour will visit iconic locations and landmarks, sharing stories and histories from the conflict. Internationally, events will also be held at several commemorative sites in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand, highlighting the global impact of the Second World War and honouring those who fought for the UK and Commonwealth.
Central to the tour is the Commonwealth War Graves’ Torch for Peace, an enduring symbol that honours individual contributions and serves as a baton to pass on stories to future generations. Claire Horton CBE, Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, emphasised the importance of these commemorations, saying, “Stories of individual people whose lives were cut short by conflict must be told and shared, their contribution provides the human connection to an important aspect of our global history.”
The Torch for Peace will be a focal point of many national ceremonial events, symbolising the shared histories and complex pasts of those affected by the war. As the world wars fade from living memory, the CWGC urges everyone to participate in these important commemorations, ensuring that the sacrifices made during the Second World War are never forgotten.
