WRITER Ben Elton and actress Anita Dobson are to be honoured for their work with Lipa students.
They will be among those who receive special “companionships” – handed to those who have assisted students at Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
Each of the industry figures being honoured as Companions at the 2007 Graduation ceremony next month have taken part in question and answer and masterclass sessions with Lipa students and have been supporters of the institute and the work that takes place here.
Comedian and novelist Elton and former EastEnders star Dobson will be joined on the stage at the Philharmonic Hall event by music mogul Alan McGee, award-winning RSC designer Ralph Koltai, record producer Steve Levine and theatre producer David Pugh who are being honoured at the 10th annual ceremony.
Lipa chief executive and founding principal Mark Featherstone-Witty says: "Graduation is always exciting and sad: sad to see talented youngsters leave, exciting to see what more they will achieve.
“It's also a chance to recognise outstanding professionals from across the performing arts who have added to our knowledge and lives.”
Creation record label boss McGee is the man who discovered Oasis, while theatre producer Pugh’s latest work includes Equus with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe.
There are also around 280 students expected to graduate from Lipa’s various diploma, degree and postgraduate courses at the ceremony on Friday, July 27.
Students from 26 countries will be represented at the ceremony including, for the first time, Brazil, Lithuania, China, Russia, Venezuela, India, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Belgium.
They will each receive a special Lipa badge from Sir Paul McCartney.
