Macca institute honours actor Hurt

2:20pm Friday 25th July 2008

Actor John Hurt will join a host of well-known faces from the music industry to receive an award from the performing arts institute founded by Sir Paul McCartney on Friday.

Hurt will become a Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (Lipa) Companion along with singer and songwriter Cathy Dennis and record producer Trevor Horn, who launched the career of Liverpool band Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Music industry lawyer Ann Harrison, composer and performer Nitin Sawhney and choreographer Lea Anderson will also receive a Lipa award.

Sir Paul is expected to be at the award ceremony.

Lipa Companionships are awarded in recognition of contributions to the world of arts and entertainment.

A spokeswoman for institute said: "All Companions are also committed to sharing their expertise with Lipa students and most have provided masterclasses at the institute."

Lipa founding principal and chief executive Mark Featherstone-Witty said: "This has been another year when people at the top of their professional powers have shared their professional lives with our students.

"In addition to the people we are honouring today, I'd also like to thank all the people who gave their time to take a masterclass for our students this academic year."

These have included actors Alan Rickman, Mark Rylance and Scottish singer Sandi Thom.

Some 261 students will be receiving degrees and other higher education qualifications at Lipa's graduation ceremony at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool.

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