The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) production of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind will make its West End premiere @sohoplace.
Adapted from the memoir by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, and Potboiler Productions and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s film, the new musical features a book and lyrics by Richy Hughes (Superhero, Southwark Playhouse) and music and lyrics by Tim Sutton (Restless Natives: The Musical, Perth Theatre; RSC’s The Merry Wives of Windsor).
Directed by former Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre Lynette Linton (Intimate Apparel, Donmar Warehouse; Shifters, Bush Theatre and Duke of York’s) the production plays @sohoplace theatre for a strictly limited run 25 April – 18 July 2026, with press night on 5 May at 7pm.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a bold and uplifting new musical which tells the true story of William Kamkwamba who had the courage to dream in the face of impossible odds.
In drought-stricken Malawi, a 13-year-old boy dreams of saving his village. Nobody believes he can – not his father, his friends, nor his community. As crops fail and hope runs dry, William finds inspiration in scraps of old machinery and a handful of library books.
What he lacks in resources, he makes up for in determination, grit and imagination, and a windmill begins to take shape. Can William defy expectations and harness the power of the wind to bring energy, life, and hope to his people?
Alistair Nwachukwu (Line of Beauty – Almeida, Choir Boy – Bristol Old Vic) is originating the title role of William Kamkwamba.
The full cast includes:
- Madeleine Appiah (Agnes)
- Lori Barker (Ensemble)
- Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (Annie)
- Owen Chaponda (Mike Kachigunda/Blessings)
- McCallam Connell (Chief Wimbe)
- Eddie Elliott (Jeremiah Kamkwamba/Patience)
- Tad Hapaguti (Offstage Understudy)
- Daniel Haswell (Offstage Understudy)
- Shaka Kalokoh (Charity)
- Idriss Kargbo (Gilbert Mofat)
- Choolwe Laina Muntanga (Mika Kamkwamba)
- Newtion Matthews (Mister Ofesi)
- Sifiso Mazibuko (Trywell)
- Alistair Nwachukwu (William)
- Tomi Ogbaro (Mizeck)
- Alex Okoampa (Ensemble)
- Yana Penrose (Khamba)
- Helena Pipe (Edith Sikelo)
Joining Lynette Linton, Richy Hughes and Tim Sutton on the creative team are:
- Set and Costume Designer Frankie Bradshaw
- Choreographer Shelley Maxwell
- Lighting Designer Oliver Fenwick
- Sound Designer George Dennis
- Video Designer Gino Ricardo Green
- Wigs, Hair and Make Up Designer Cynthia De La Rosa
- Musical Supervisor Liam Godwin
- Orchestrator Benjamin Kwasi Burrell
- Puppet Designer Nick Barnes
- Puppetry Director Laura Cubitt
- Fight Director Kate Waters
- Dramaturg George Harrison
- Dramatherapist Wabriya King
- Casting Director Heather Basten CDG
- Musical Director Ashton Moore
- Voice and Dialect Joel Trill
- Associate Director TD Moyo
- Assistant Dramaturg Owen Chaponda
- Executive Producer Chiwetel Ejiofor
Access performances to be announced.
