Moving. Vibrant. Joyous. Powerful. A true story.
“If you want to make it, all you have to do is try.” – William Kamkwamba
The real-life story of the incredible 14-year-old William Kamkwamba and the journey of his invention that changed so many lives.
A story of a school boy who was expelled from school because his family couldn’t afford the school fees was driven by ingenuity and the vision of inventing energy to make a change. With the life struggles of his homeland, climate, economically and physically, the lack of resources, famine, money, and education, he sees something that everyone else around him can’t. The power to make something to make change. Those around him laugh, question, and doubt his gathering of scrap that he finds, yet it doesn’t deter him. He’s given the chance to keep going to the library even though he doesn’t have a library card and was expelled from school. He then picks up a book that he knows is the answer he is looking for. Through endeavour, battles and persistence, he finally shows what he can do and, in turn, is given the chance by the sacrifice of his father’s bike. This, in turn, finally gives him the chance to build the 16-foot windmill.
This musical truly encapsulates the real-life story. The cast are utterly stellar, and every single actor stands out. The choreography, acting and voices are vibrant, led by the sensationally earnest performance by Alistair Nwachukwu. A clip of the real-life TED Talk by William is played, and it moves you to tears.
A special moment happened with a rapturous standing ovation by the audience when the real William Kamkwamba stepped on stage.
A show and story that will move you beyond words.
Review by Cal Frankie
Based on the international best-selling book, this bold and uplifting new musical tells the extraordinary true story of William Kamkwamba.
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?
CAST
Madeline Appiah – Agnes Kamkwamba
Lori Barker – Ensemble / Understudy
Tsemaye Bob-Egbe – Annie Kamkwamba
Owen Chaponda – Mike Kachigunda / Blessings
McCallam Connell – Chief Wimbe
Eddie Elliott – Jeremiah Kamkwamba / Patience
Shaka Kalokoh – Charity / Hyena
Idriss Kargbo – Gilbert Mofat
Newtion Matthews – Mister Ofesi
Sifiso Mazibuko – Trywell Kamkwamba
Choolwe Laina Muntanga – Wind / Mika Kamkwamba
Alistair Nwachukwu – William Kamkwamba
Tomi Ogbaro – Mizeck
Alex Okoampa – Ensemble / Understudy
Yana Penrose – Khamba / Puppetry Captain
Helena Pipe – Edith Sikelo
Lauren Azania – Understudy
Ian Carlyle – Understudy
Tad Hapaguti – Understudy / Dance Captain
Daniel Haswell – Understudy
Wilson Kiiru – Understudy
Lanya Matthews – Understudy
CREATIVES
Richy Hughes – Book & Lyrics
Tim Sutton – Music & Lyrics
Lynette Linton – Director
Frankie Bradshaw – Set & Costume Designer
Shelley Maxwell – Choreographer and Intimacy Director
Oliver Fenwick – Lighting Designer
George Dennis – Sound Designer
Paul Groothuis – Co-Sound Designer
Gino Ricardo Green – Video Designer
Cynthia De La Rosa – Wigs, Hair & Make-Up Designer
Benjamin Kwasi Burrell – Orchestrator
Laura Cubitt – Puppetry Director
Nick Barnes – Puppet Designer
Liam Godwin – Music Supervisor
Ashton Moore – Musical Director
Kate Waters – Fight Director
Joel Trill – Voice and Dialect
George Sangwani Harrison – Dramaturg
Owen Chaponda – Co-Dramaturg
Heather Basten CDG – Casting Director
Kenny Wax Limited and Chuchu Nwagu Productions in association with Nica Burns present the West End premiere of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of
THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND
@sohoplace
25 April to 18 July 2026
