Paul McCartney bestows honors upon Sam Mendes, Adrian Lester, and James Nesbitt at the LIPA
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) celebrated the graduation of its class of 2025 at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Tuesday. This year's ceremony recognised not only the achievements of the 420 graduating students but also several notable figures in the performing arts industry.
Among the honorees were James Bond director Sir Sam Mendes, actor Adrian Lester, and Cold Feet star James Nesbitt. They were awarded a companionship for their outstanding achievement and contribution to student learning. Sir Paul McCartney, a co-founder of LIPA, presented the honours in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the performing arts industry.
The Wombats, an indie band that met while studying at LIPA, were also honoured at the ceremony. The band's manager, Simon Bobbett, received a companionship in recognition of his support of the arts.
The ceremony was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and possibility, as described by LIPA's principal and chief executive, Professor Sean McNamara. The graduating class of 2025 is composed of artists, innovators, and leaders, and they are expected to influence culture and the world around them.
LIPA's connection to prominent industry professionals was evident in the ceremony, as was its commitment to fostering high standards in performing arts education and practice. The institute, which was founded by Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty in 1996, has a rich history of producing talented artists.
The adjacent Liverpool Art College was once attended by John Lennon, and the LIPA was established on the site of the old Liverpool Institute, the former school of Sir Paul McCartney and Beatles bandmate George Harrison.
The ceremony also honoured Gay Linvill, who has directed episodes of The Big Bang Theory, and Sita McIntosh, the chief executive and arts accessibility campaigner of Go Live Theatre.
Sir Sam Mendes received his companionship via video link as he could not attend the ceremony in person. Adrian Lester starred in the 2021 Broadway production of The Lehman Trilogy, directed by Sir Sam, and was nominated for a Tony Award.
The LIPA is immensely proud of the graduating class of 2025 and looks forward to seeing the future they create. The institute's commitment to excellence in the performing arts is evident in the calibre of its graduates and the honours it bestows upon industry professionals.
The LIPA ceremony, filled with celebrities from the pop-culture and entertainment industry, honored noteworthy personalities such as James Bond director Sir Sam Mendes, actor Adrian Lester, and Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, whose exceptional contributions to the performing arts were recognized. The Wombats, an indie band born from LIPA, and industry professionals like Gay Linvill from The Big Bang Theory and Sita McIntosh from Go Live Theatre were also celebrated for their role in shaping pop-culture.
