Production images released for new musical 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind'

Emmie Newitt 16 February, 2026, 14:57

This bold and uplifting new musical has been adapted from/based on a book by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer, and Potboiler Productions Film. It heads to the West End in April following its initial premiere at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The cast of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Photo by Tyler Fayose.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind follows William Kamkwamba, a Malawian boy who builds a windmill to save his village from famine. However, nobody believes he can. All he has to help him are some library books and scraps of old machinery. His determination and creativity ultimately bring hope and electricity to his family and the wider community.

The production features book and lyrics by Richy Hughes and music and lyrics by Tim Sutton. It will be directed by Lynette Linton (Shifters).

Making his RSC debut as William Kamkwamba will be Alistair Nwachukwu (The Line of Beauty, Almeida Theatre), alongside Madeline Appiah (The Winter's Tale, RSC), Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (Play On!, Lyric Hammersmith) and Sifiso Mazibuko (Girl From the North Country, Old Vic) as the rest of the Kamkwamba family.

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Completing the company are Lori Barker, Owen Chaponda, McCallam Connell, Eddie Elliott, Tad Hapaguti, Daniel Haswell, Shaka Kalokoh, Idriss Kargbo, Newtion Matthews, Choolwe Laina Muntanga, Tomi Ogbaro, Alex Okoampa, Yana Penrose and Helena Pipe.

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind was commissioned by and is presented in association with Kenny Wax Limited and Chuchu Nwagu Productions.

It will play at @sohoplace from 25 April - 18 July 2026. It will follow the West End debut of Marie and Rosetta, which runs from 28 February - 11 April 2026.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Tickets