Exclusive: Thom Southerland appointed artistic director of Charing Cross Theatre

Director Thom Southerland, whose recent critically acclaimed productions include Titanic and Grand Hotel has been announced as the new artistic director of Charing Cross Theatre.

To kick off his tenure at the venue, Southerland has programmed an opening season of major musicals, including the return of his acclaimed multi award-winning Titanic and the European premiere of Death Takes a Holiday.

Read our full story on the return of Titanic

Southerland will continue his successful long-time collaboration with Danielle Tarento at Charing Cross Theatre, where she will co-produce the entire season with Steven M. Levy, Sean Sweeney and Vaughan Williams.

Titanic will open the season from 28 May – 6 August, followed by Noel Gay and Abi Grant's Radio Times (20 August – 1 October).

Next up will be Ragtime (8 October – 26 November) with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Terrence McNally.

The final production in the season will be the European premiere of Death Takes a Holiday (3 December 2016 – 21 January 2017), the follow-up to Titanic by its Tony Award-winning composers, Maury Yeston, Peter Stone and Thomas Meehan.

Southerland directs all the shows apart from Radio Times, which will be directed by Ben Woolf.

Steven M. Levy said: "Thom Southerland’s appointment marks the start of an exciting, fabulous new chapter in the history of our theatre. As we turn into a full-time producing house we are thrilled to announce the appointment of Thom as artistic director and to welcome Danielle Tarento as our season co-producer."

Southerland, speaking from Japan, where he’s directing a new version of his London hit, Grand Hotel, said: "Having directed The Mikado at Charing Cross Theatre, I am thrilled to have been appointed artistic director. It’s doubly exciting to be able to premiere Titanic composer Maury Yeston’s Death Takes a Holiday to round off this first season."