Review: The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind (@SohoPlace)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There’s been a deluge recently of shows from the remarkable RSC making their way to London, not long after their acclaimed season in Stratford-upon-Avon, with Twelfth Night and Titus Andronicus recent transfers, and Cyrano de Bergerac opening in the West End next month. There’s something a bit different about their latest London opening, however, with The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind announced for a West End run, months before it had even opened at the RSC. A risky strategy, perhaps, but like the invention at the heart of the story, all involved seemed to be confident that this one leap of faith would be a huge success. After missing its initial run earlier this year, I wasted no time in heading to @SohoPlace to see the story for myself, but would it work, or would it prove to be a lot of hot air?

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind is the inspirational true story of William Kamkwamba. Adapted from his memoir with Bryan Mealer, the story was previously adapted into a 2019 film written, directed by and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor. William is a bright 13-year-old boy living in Malawi with no shortage of ideas and imagination. When a drought threatens the lives of everyone starving in his village, William has the idea to create a windmill, harnessing its power to bring energy, life and, perhaps most importantly, hope to his people, ultimately aiming to power a water pump, which will in turn create another harvest and ultimately save lives. It seems overly ambitious, and his idea is initially dismissed by his father, his friends and the entire community. Can he convince them to help make his dream come true before it’s too late?

With a book by Richy Hughes, the heart of the story has been carefully maintained and adapted for a live audience in a musical that is bursting with emotion and inspiration. Moments are exaggerated to create some lighthearted comedy, while the high stakes of the story are never undermined, pushing that comedy to one side for the bleaker moments in the story. It is the authentic way these two contrasting themes are balanced that is key to the success of The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind. In life, there is always a balance of both light and darkness, and this is beautifully represented in this story, which pulls at your heartstrings, managing to make you cry both tears of joy and tears of sorrow in a truly gobsmacking production.

@SohoPlace has quickly cemented itself as one of my favourite West End venues for its in-the-round nature, intimacy and ability to connect with its audience through unrestricted views. For this production, there is a new configuration, with the audience still surrounding three sides of the stage, and a stage extending into the fourth, with a magnificent design by Frankie Bradshaw, extending into the three different levels of the space, giving a much-needed height that matches the windmill that will be built before the show’s end. A great use of lighting from Oliver Fenwick and video design from Gino Ricardo Green beautifully transforms the stage, with projections both on the walls and the stage itself, while fantastic choreography from Shelley Maxwell ensures this is always visually stunning to watch.

While the bones of the story are there both in William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer’s original story, and Richy Hughes adaptation, it is Lynette Linton’s irresistible direction that takes The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind to the next level entirely. Making full use of the space, Linton has cleverly found creative ways to connect the story with the audience, starting her genius before the show has even begun. One by one, characters enter the theatre, interacting with the audience while still in their character and breaking down the barriers between cast and audience. It must be said that the way these characters improvised was a testament to their own strengths, with one hilariously grabbing an audience member's iPhone and questioning what it is. This interaction continues throughout the show, with cast members talking to members of the front row in a way that reminds us all of the human connection that is so paramount to the telling of the story.

The genius of Linton’s direction never falters throughout. Here is a director who knows how to get the very best out of a cast and never fails when translating stories so that they resonate with an audience, no matter how varied the background of each audience member is. Very few, if any, members of that audience will be aware of the struggles present in this story, or the “hyena” that stalks the village, but Linton ensures the story becomes equally accessible for all, never taking her eye off that human connection. For me, that is always the difference between a four and a five-star show - a show can be very good with pretty much nothing to criticise at all, but if I come out of there without feeling connected to it or feeling anything at all, it may fail to get their elusive fifth star. That was not a problem with The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, hence the star rating. It has been a while since a show has managed to reduce me to tears, but I found myself in bits as the show drew to a close, both through a couple of harrowing moments, and then the joy and jubilation when spoiler alert “it works”. It always amazes me what can make me cry in a theatre - whether it be a puppet horse (War Horse) or, in this case, a dog, or simply constructing a windmill. I will never look at a windmill the same way again, though I don’t expect any of the others to make me cry quite as I did here.

This is a musical adaptation of the story, and it is always a challenge to ensure the songs in an original musical match the tone and quality of the book as well as further the narrative. That isn’t a problem here, with Tim Sutton’s music and lyrics from both him and Richy Hughes absolutely outstanding. ‘Something More Than Magic’ and ‘Where Did That Boy Go’ set the tone early on, while the act one closer ‘Muluzi/Mughals Ndi Inetu’ is as stunning as it gets. There are a couple of gorgeous ballads to be found here, with ‘The Girl In The Marketplace’ and ‘This I Know’ sure to be loved by musical theatre fans for years to come - if/when a cast recording is released, I know they will be on rotation on my playlist. Another musical standout is ‘Whole Day We Cry’, coming at a real gut-punch moment in the story and nailing the emotion through truly beautiful and poignant lyrics. The songs manage to convey the message of the story at any given time, be that joy, fear or tragedy, perfectly matching the skill of the expert book.

The strengths in The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind are enough to power 100 villages, and that extends to its incredible cast. The titular boy, William Kamkwamba, is played wonderfully by Alistair Nwachukwu, bringing a whole lot of heart and authenticity to the character responsible for changing the outcome of his village, and inspiring the world outside of it. It is a big story to tell, and Nwachukwu portrays it with ease, with the added pressure of having the real William present at the performance I went to. Having him join the curtain call at my performance added another level to the incredible performance, especially after having watched some real-life footage of the inspiring work William has done near the show’s climax.

Idriss Kargbo is a huge standout as William’s best friend, Gilbert Mofat. What starts as a largely comedic character, with Kargbo always being quick for a punchline, and the comic relief soon reveals itself to be far deeper, giving Kargbo the opportunity to showcase his range as an actor - and what a range it is. As the tone took a darker turn in Act Two, Kargbo truly broke my heart in a particularly emotional moment, with McCallam Connell getting some great moments with him as Chief Wimbe. 

Tsemaye Bob-Egbe gets some of the strongest moments as William’s sister, Annie, demonstrating gorgeous vocals and a sensitive, often understated acting style that furthered the narrative and her own journey for happiness. Madeline Appiah is a similarly strong presence as William and Annie’s mother, Agnes, getting some of the finest moments in the story herself. The moments the family is together allow them each to lift each other with their differing dynamics, resembling a real family with all their squabbles and the love that lurks underneath. 

That family is completed by another undoubted standout in the cast, Sifiso Mazibuko as the father, Trywell. I have been lucky enough to see Sifiso in multiple roles before, but never quite like this. The restraint he showed in his characterisation allowed for a nuanced portrayal that spoke of the character’s inner turmoil and how conflicted he felt as he attempted to keep everyone alive, and the cost of that heavy load. His performance of ‘This I Know’ proved one of the more emotive and memorable musical numbers of the show - though his character may seem a bit tough at moments during the show, he carries the key to unlocking the heart of it, and when that key moment finally happens, it proves to be the ultimate payoff.

I have seen some incredible plays so far in 2026, but I’ve commented to friends and colleagues that I am still waiting for that one musical to wow me in the same way some of these plays have. My prayers may have been answered. The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind is everything I want from a musical - a great story, beautiful songs and a whole lot of heart. I found myself connecting with this story in a way I rarely do. In a world where there is so much negativity and terrifying things on the news every day, it felt timely and even necessary to be reminded of the good that can be done in this world, sometimes just from one teenage boy. This inspirational, heartwarming story somehow harnessed all the beauty that can be found in theatre, against all odds, in a way that truly works. The result is a show every bit as powerful as the windmill that features in it. If you are looking to be moved, fall in love with a show or simply remind yourself how theatre at its best can make you feel, take my advice and get yourself a ticket to see this beautiful, life-affirming production - it really did blow me away.

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind plays at @SohoPlace until 18th July. Tickets from https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-boy-who-harnessed-the-wind-tickets

Photos by Tyler Fayose