25 April – 18 July 2026
@sohoplace 

Directed by Lynette Linton
Book and Lyrics by Richy Hughes
Music and Lyrics by Tim Sutton
Adapted from memoir by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, and Potboiler Productions and Chiwetel Ejiofor‘s film

Kenny Wax Limited and Chuchu Nwagu Productions in association with Nica Burns present the Royal Shakespeare Company production of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

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 include 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) and Helena Pipe (Edith Sikelo).