The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind musical at the RSC and in the West End – first look at rehearsals

Rehearsal photos have been released for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, the 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, ahead of a 12-week season at @sohoplace from 25 April to 18 July 2026.

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.

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Alistair Nwachukwu makes 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.

You can listen to a number here:

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