Joe Murphy appointed artistic director of Sherman Theatre in Cardiff

Joe Murphy is to replace Rachel O'Riordan as artistic director of Sherman Theatre, it has been announced.

Murphy is currently associate director at the Old Vic in London and has been associate director of Soho Theatre and artistic director of theatre company Nabokov. His work on stage includes Woyzeck starring John Boyega at the Old Vic, as well as Incognito at the Bush Theatre, Blink at Soho Theatre and The Taming of the Shrew at Shakespeare's Globe and on a world tour.

Murphy will take up his position as artistic director in July this year alongside the Sherman's executive director Julia Barry.

O'Riordan announced she would be becoming artistic director of Lyric Hammersmith in September last year.

David Stacey, chair of the board of Sherman Theatre said: "After an extensive search that included the receipt of over thirty applications from across the globe demonstrating a wide breadth of talent and experience, followed by a series of in depth interviews with outstanding candidates, we are pleased to be announcing the appointment of Joe Murphy as our new artistic director.

"The field was incredibly strong and that is testament to the work undertaken by the Sherman team over recent years to develop the theatre into the dynamic organization it is today."