Cate Blanchett - Cate Blanchett Completes French Theatre Run With Chevalier Medal Honour

The Elizabeth star recently took her Sydney Theatre Company (Stc) show, Gross und Klein, to the French capital for a series of sold-out performances, ahead of a transfer to London this month (13Apr12).

Blanchett's success in France has now been completed as she was handed one of France's highest cultural honours, Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres - the Chevalier Medal - by Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterrand last week (ends08Apr12).

Stc general manager Patrick MCIntryre, says, "I think the real story is what this means to Australia... to have an Australian artist recognised by the French government in this way. The fact that it's Cate and that she is on stage in Paris makes it extra special. This is an extraordinary and well-deserved honour."