The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Kenny Wax Limited and Chuchu Nwagu Productions today reveal the full cast and creative team for the stage premiere of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, a bold and uplifting new musical telling the true story of William Kamkwamba. The announcement comes as the company prepare to start rehearsals ahead of the production’s opening at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in February 2026.
Following a 6-week run in Stratford-upon-Avon, the production will transfer to @sohoplace in London’s West End for a strictly limited 12-week run from 25 April – 18 July 2026.
Priority booking for the London run is available to RSC Patrons, Members and Subscribers via @sohoplace Box Office from Monday 24 November at 10am with public booking from Wednesday 26 November at 10am.
RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said: “We are thrilled to announce the outstanding cast who will bring The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind to life at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon next year. This inspiring story, known around the world through book and film, now takes to the stage as our first musical – a landmark moment in our time at the RSC. We are equally delighted to announce that the production will transfer to @sohoplace, continuing our close collaboration with Nica Burns following the success of Kyoto. Taking this story to London reflects our ambition to share the RSC’s work – and the extraordinary global stories that unite and move us – with as many people as possible.”
This production is directed by Lynette Linton (Alterations, Shifters), formerly Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, with book and lyrics by Richy Hughes (Southwark Playhouse Superhero) and music and lyrics by Tim Sutton (Restless Natives, RSC The Merry Wives of Windsor).
Alistair Nwachukwu will make his RSC debut as William Kamkwamba. He can currently be seen on stage at the Almeida Theatre in the sold-out production of The Line of Beauty. His previous theatre credits also include Choir Boy (Bristol Old Vic). On screen, Alistair’s credits include Netflix’s Shadow and Bone and the upcoming film short A Friend of Dorothy which premiered at the Raindance Film Festival earlier this year.
Joining Alistair and completing the Kamkwamba family are Madeline Appiah (Agnes), Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (Annie) and Sifiso Mazibuko (Trywell).
Madeline was recently on stage with the RSC in Yaël Farber’s The Winter’s Tale. Other RSC credits include Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice and The Taming of the Shrew. Theatre credits include Cymbeline (Globe), Kerry Jackson, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Here We Go, Welcome to Thebes (National Theatre) and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych).
Tsemaye also makes her RSC debut. She was most recently seen on stage in Play On! – a jazz musical based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at the Lyric Hammersmith and on UK tour. Previous theatre credits include Six the Musical, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
Sifiso will make his RSC debut in this role. His previous theatre credits include Girl From the North Country (Old Vic), A Good House (Royal Court), Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations (Prince Edward), Hamilton (Victoria Palace) and Motown: The Musical (Shaftesbury).
Full company comprises; Madeline Appiah (Agnes Kamkwamba), Lori Barker (Ensemble), Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (Annie Kamkwamba), 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), Newtion Matthews (Mister Ofesi), Sifiso Mazibuko (Trywell Kamkwamba), Choolwe Laina Muntanga (Mika Kamkwamba), Alistair Nwachukwu (William Kamkwamba), Tomi Ogbaro (Mizeck), Alex Okoampa (Ensemble), Yana Penrose (Khamba), Helena Pipe (Edith Sikelo).
On announcing the cast, director Lynette Linton said: “I’m so excited to finally share the brilliant cast who will bring this new musical adaptation of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind to life. This production has grown through collaboration and creativity, reflecting the spirit of community that lies at the heart of Wimbe, where this story began. It’s a tale of imagination, resilience and collective hope. Every member of this company brings so much energy, intelligence and warmth to the room, I can’t wait to work with these brilliant humans and for our audiences to discover William’s story. Let’s go!”
Also announced today, writer, director and actor Chiwetel Ejiofor is Creative Associate for the project and Executive Producer for the West End transfer. Ejiofor previously wrote, directed and starred in the 2019 film version of the same title, and on joining the creative team, he said: “I am absolutely delighted to be involved with the exceptional team bringing William’s story to theatre audiences. William’s incredible experiences are a powerful testament to resilience and hope. It’s a narrative that remains both timeless and timely and, I’m sure, will continue to resonate deeply with everyone who encounters it.”