Commemorating VJ Day, the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Finborough Theatre’s digital initiative #FinboroughFrontier continues with a new audio poetry recital – Remember Your Lovers, a rediscovery of the poetry of Sidney Keyes, one of Britain’s finest Second World War poets, featuring acting legend Claire Bloom. It will be available to stream FREE on the Finborough Theatre YouTube channel and selected audio streaming services from VJ Day onwards – Friday, 15 August 2025 from 1.00pm.
Sidney Keyes was born one hundred years ago on 27 May 1922 in Dartford, Kent, and died in battle in mysterious circumstances in Tunisia at the age of twenty.
Alongside Keith Douglas and Alun Lewis, although younger than both, Sidney Keyes is widely regarded as one of Britain’s outstanding poets of the Second World War. He was awarded a posthumous Hawthornden Prize for his work.
Remember Your Lovers rediscovers Keyes’s poems to tell his story through the women he loved – above all, his unrequited passion for the German Jewish refugee artist Melein Cosman – as he confronted the devastating reality of a world at war.
Devised by Neil McPherson from the poetry of Sidney Keyes.
Directed by Catherine Harvey.
Recorded by Angus Chisholm and Catherine Harvey.
Edited by Iain Mackness and Angus Chisholm.
Sound Design by Iain Mackness.
Assistant Direction by Erica Miller.
Presented by Rhyme & Reason Productions and Roguegunners Productions in association with the Finborough Theatre
Cast: Claire Bloom. Catherine Harvey. Alexander Knox. Neil McPherson. Annabel Mullion. Louise Mai Newberry. Will de Renzy-Martin. Whoopie Van Raam.
