Last Updated: Tuesday, 31 May, 2005, 10:13 GMT 11:13 UK
Lloyd Webber gets Hungary honour
Andrew Lloyd Webber got the honour from the Hungarian prime minister
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has been given a high honour by Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.
The Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Cats composer was given the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit for supporting Hungarian culture.
"I have always been very aware of Hungarian music - Bartok and Kodaly were very much a part of my early childhood," Lloyd Webber said.
He was in the capital Budapest as his musical The Beautiful Game opened.
Mr Gyurcsany said: "One just cannot understand the culture of our days without knowing the musicals of Lloyd-Webber.
"His music binds people who live in faraway places, it bonds the West End and Budapest."
The composer said Sunday's performance of The Beautiful Game was "one of the finest I have ever seen of anything to do with me".
Bombay Dreams show heads to India
19 Jan 05 | Entertainment
Lloyd Webber could sell theatres
New Lloyd Webber show divides critics
16 Sep 04 | Entertainment
Royal gala for Lloyd Webber show
Country profile: Hungary
22 May 05 | Country profiles