Full cast and West End transfer announced for THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND - A NEW MUSICAL
Photo credit: Nwaka Okparaeke
The full cast and creative team have been announced for the stage premiere of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, a bold and uplifting new musical telling the true story of William Kamkwamba, which opens at the RSC’s Swan Theatre from 10 February - 28 March before transferring to @sohoplace in London’s West End from 25 April - 18 July.
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, formerly Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, with a book and lyrics by Richy Hughes, and music and lyrics by Tim Sutton.
Alistair Nwachukwu (The Line of Beauty, Almeida Theatre) will make his RSC debut as William Kamkwamba, with Madeline Appiah (Cymbeline, Shakespeare’s Globe) as Agnes, Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (Play On!, Lyric Hammersmith/UK tour) as Annie, and Sifiso Mazibuko (Girl From The North Country, Old Vic) as Trywell.
Completing the cast are Lori Barker (Ensemble), Owen Chaponda as Mike Kachigunda/Blessings, McCallam Connell as Chief Wimbe, Eddie Elliott as Jeremiah Kamkwamba /Patience, Tad Hapaguti (Offstage Understudy), Daniel Haswell (Offstage Understudy), Shaka Kalokoh as Charity, Idriss Kargbo as Gilbert Mofat, Newtion Matthews as Mister Ofesi, Choolwe Laina Muntanga as Mika Kamkwamba, Tomi Ogbaro as Mizeck, Alex Okoampa (Ensemble), Yana Penrose as Khamba, and Helena Pipe as 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!”
William wants to build a windmill. Nobody believes he can – not his father nor his friends. Hope feels out of reach where the land is thirsty but the rains don't come. As drought closes in on his family’s farm and the village he loves, everyone prays for a miracle.
All William has to hand are some library books and scraps of old machinery. The rest must come from within. Will he defy expectations? Will the wind turn the sails of his invention, produce the gift of power, and give hope for tomorrow?
Joining Lynette Linton, Richy Hughes and Tim 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, music 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 CDG, music director Ashton Moore, voice and dialect coach Joel Trill, and creative associate Chiwetel Ejiofor.
For more info on The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, please click here.