Sir Paul McCartney tells us how the students at LIPA still inspire him

Ahead of The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts’ (LIPA) landmark 30th Anniversary Gala Concert at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, lead patron Sir Paul McCartney has praised the creativity of its students and graduates – as a limited number of public tickets are released for the one-off celebration.

Taking place on 7 June, exactly 30 years after Queen Elizabeth II officially opened LIPA in 1996, the Gala will bring together internationally acclaimed alumni and current students for a one‑night celebration.

In the event’s souvenir programme Sir Paul writes:

“What began as a dream to give young people the chance to realise their ambitions and build lasting, meaningful careers has grown into a big, brilliant family full of creative energy.

“The spirit of LIPA has always been about giving talent a chance, and seeing our students and graduates take that spirit out into the world is one of the great joys of my life.

“You inspire me with your imagination, your creativity and your heart.”

Performed, produced and facilitated by LIPA alumni and students, the 30th Anniversary Gala Concert will celebrate some of LIPA’s brightest and boldest achievements, while reflecting the breadth and diversity of alumni and student creativity.

It promises to be an eclectic and dynamic mix of musical theatre, large-scale dance productions, intimate folk music, power pop, electronica and spoken word.

The show’s director, Jonathan Glew, describes it as:

“a cross between a multidisciplinary Jools Holland and a tear-jerking town hall reunion.”

Among the performers are:

• Leanne Best (This City is Ours, Cold Feet)
• Dan Croll (Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter)
• Jak Malone (Olivier and Tony Award winner for Operation Mincemeat)
• Hannah Peel (Ivor Novello Award-winning composer)
• Gavin Stokes (House of the Dragon, Hamilton)
• John Smith (Pioneering folk artist)
• Sandi Thom (UK No.1 Single: I Wish I was a Punk Rocker)
• Liz White (Call the Midwife, Life on Mars)

The Gala will also feature speeches from LIPA’s founder and former principal, Mark Featherstone-Witty and current principal and CEO, Professor Sean McNamara – who will reflect on the past while looking ahead to LIPA’s next chapter.

Over the past three decades, LIPA has earned an international reputation as one of the UK’s leading performing and creative arts institutions, with graduates shaping the worlds of music, theatre, film, television and live performance across the globe.

Its alumni community includes award‑winning actors, musicians, producers, directors, filmmakers, designers, technicians, creatives and composers working at the highest levels of the industry.

The LIPA 30th Anniversary Gala Concert takes place at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall at 6pm on Sunday 7 June.

If you’d like to attend, you can book tickets here.

Sir Paul McCartney recently described John Lennon as the “favourite Beatle”, read more here.

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