West End Star Leads RCT’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ for VE Day Celebrations

Rhondda Cynon Taf’s very-own West End star Sophie Evans will be leading the RCT ‘We’ll Meet Again’ singalong as part of the country’s commemorations for the 75^th anniversary of VE Day.

Rhondda-born Sophie, who made her stage debut at the Park & Dare Theatre in Treorchy, has recorded a special rendition of the wartime classic for the Council, as part of the nationwide celebrations of VE Day, which will be led by Dame Vera Lynn herself on Friday, May 8.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will be supporting the national singalong, urging all residents to go onto their doorsteps or into their gardens to sing ‘We’ll Meet Again’ at 9pm on May 8 – a Bank Holiday.

Residents are asked to host their own Stay At Home Party on the day, decorating their homes in red, white and blue colours, and having their own celebrations with those people they are self-isolating with. The BBC have created a template to create ‘Great British Bunting’ to help you to decorate your home which can be found here.

The Council will also be taking part, lighting up our theatres in red, white and blue to mark the occasion, and a range of online activities and events are being provided by the Royal British Legion and the VE Day 75 official website.

A two minute silence will take place at 11am to honour the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation and reflect on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on so many lives across the world, and residents are encouraged to take part to show their respect during this time.

A ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’ will be also be taking place at 3pm on the 8th May, which should be done from the safety of your own home, which encourages people to stand up and raise a glass of refreshment of your choice and undertake the following ‘Toast’ – “To those who gave so much, we thank you,” to pay tribute to the many millions at home and abroad that gave so much for today.

Councillor Maureen Webber, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “Even though we are currently living through such difficult times, this does not prevent us from commemorating such a significant day in our history.

“May 8 will mark the 75^th anniversary of VE Day, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. A time when thousands of troops could finally return home to their loved ones, after sadly, many millions more did not.

“The words of We’ll Meet Again are as poignant today as they were during wartime. Families separated from their loved ones, such heartache and so many people tragically losing their lives.

“The Council is grateful to Sophie Evans and Rhondda Arts Festival Treorchy for working with us and providing the nation with such a wonderful rendition of this beautiful song.

“I hope as many people as possible will join us in singing We’ll Meet Again on May 8, as we look ahead with great optimism to the days when the dark clouds will once again be far away.

“The Council had planned to hold a special VE Day 75 celebration event in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, however, in the circumstances this must now be put on hold.

“That does not mean, however, that each of us cannot celebrate this event responsibly in our own homes. I urge residents to decorate their homes in red, white and blue, to mark this significant anniversary at their Stay At Home Party. There are a huge range of activities and ideas available online, and I look forward to seeing how the residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf celebrate this special anniversary safely in their homes.”

Sophie Evans performed with the Mid-Rhondda Operatic Society, making her stage debut in the main auditorium of the Park & Dare Theatre. But she first captivated national television audiences as a 17-year-old on BBC TV’s Over the Rainbow, firmly establishing herself as a rising star of stage and screen.

She went on to star as Glinda in the smash-hit West End musical Wicked at world-famous the London Palladium, also starring in stage productions ofLord of the Dance and You Won’t Succeed On Broadway and on the big screeninhit movies Pride and The World’s End.

Sophie performed at the then-named Millennium Stadium in Cardiff ahead of the Wales v France semi-final clash in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. She also performed as Dorothy at the 2012 Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House in London and presented and starred in The Really Welsh Christmas Show for the BBC the same year.

The 1939 song We’ll Meet Again was made famous by Dame Vera Lynn and became synonymous with the Second World War. Since then it has been recorded by many artistes over the years. A special duet by Dame Vera Lynn, now aged 103, and Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins, has now been released, raising money for NHS Charities Together.We’ll meet again
Don’t know where, don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
‘Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away

So will you please say “Hello” to the folks that I know
Tell them I won’t be long
They’ll be happy to know that as you saw me go
I was singing this song

We’ll meet again
Don’t know where, don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day