Cast announced for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind musical at the RSC and in the West End

The Royal Shakespeare Company, Kenny Wax Limited and Chuchu Nwagu Productions have announced the full cast and creative team for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, a new musical based on the true story of William Kamkwamba. The production will open at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 14 February to 21 March 2026 before a newly revealed West End run.

Based on the novel by Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, as well as Potboiler Productions and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s film, the new musical features a book and lyrics by Richy Hughes and music and lyrics by Tim Sutton, with direction by Lynette Linton.

The musical tells the story of Kamkwamba, a Malawian teenager who, during a time of famine and poverty, built a wind turbine from scrap materials to bring electricity and water to his village. His ingenuity and determination became a symbol of resourcefulness and the power of education.

Alistair Nwachukwu will make his RSC debut as William Kamkwamba. The company also includes Madeline Appiah as Agnes Kamkwamba, Tsemaye Bob-Egbe as Annie Kamkwamba, Owen Chaponda as Mike Kachigunda/Blessings, McCallam Connell as Chief Wimbe, Eddie Elliott as Jeremiah Kamkwamba/Patience, Shaka Kalokoh as Charity, Idriss Kargbo as Gilbert Mofat, Newtion Matthews as Mister Ofesi, Sifiso Mazibuko as Trywell Kamkwamba, Choolwe Laina Muntanga as Mika Kamkwamba, Tomi Ogbaro as Mizeck, Lori Barker as Ensemble, Alex Okoampa as Ensemble, Yana Penrose as Khamba and Helena Pipe as Edith Sikelo. Offstage understudies are Tad Hapaguti and Daniel Haswell.

Joining Linton, Hughes and 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, musical director Ashton Moore, voice and dialect coach Joel Trill, associate director TD Moyo, Chaponda as assistant dramaturg and executive producer Ejiofor.

Ejiofor joins as creative associate and executive producer for the West End transfer. Ejiofor wrote, directed and starred in the 2019 film adaptation of the same story. On joining the team, Ejiofor said: “The story of William Kamkwamba is a testament to resilience, ingenuity and hope. It reminds us that even in the most challenging circumstances, the human spirit can find solutions and create change. I am thrilled to see this narrative brought to life on stage and believe it will resonate deeply with audiences everywhere.”

Find out more about the West End transfer here.