The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind at Soho Place

Tottenham Court Road cannot be called inspiring at the best of times. And yet, at Soho Place, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind tells a story so moving and joyous that it is impossible to leave the theatre without a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.

The story is that of William Kamkwamba (Alistair Nwachukwu), a 13-year-old Malawian boy, whose village has been battling against vicious cycles of drought and famine. Despite being banned from school after his family struggled to pay the fees, William is hungry for knowledge, sneaking into science classes and the library. He learns about technology that can turn wind into electricity, and embarks upon building a windmill that can power a water pump for his village.

What makes this show exceptionally special is that it is based on a true story. The real William built a wind turbine in his village, Wimbe, in 2001, and was thrust into the limelight after appearing on a TED Talk in 2009. Each time that a character makes you smile, laugh or cry, the emotion is further intensified when you remember that you are witnessing the experiences of real people.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind received criticism for its confusing storytelling after debuting at the Swan Theatre earlier this year. However, it is clear that the creative team have taken this on board and worked hard to refine the production. The plot contains multitudes, but the narrative is easy to follow and definitely digestible. Despite the weighty storyline, the play is full of humour, with plenty of moments that evoked riotous laughter from the audience.

Musically, the show is breathtaking. Oftentimes, the band is very stripped back, allowing the skilful harmonies of the ensemble to carry the numbers. Passion and pride are palpable on the Soho Place stage. The cast are incredibly committed – each dance move is energised, each note sung from the soul. It seems the responsibility of retelling William’s story is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Director Lynette Linton certainly knows how to bring together a cast with chemistry – every interaction feels organic, from playful moments between young men at a bar to heart-wrenching conversations between husband and wife.

It is rare to see a father vulnerable and hurt on stage, and rarer still to hear them sing a ballad. William’s father, Trywell (Sifiso Mazibuko), does just this towards the end of act one. It’s incredibly moving – and important – to see a strong, masculine man display this much emotion on stage. More of this, please, West End.

It could be argued that The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is Disney-esque in its approach, perhaps slightly saccharine. But if the purpose of theatre is to bring joy and spark human connection, this production has succeeded. The show is perfectly captured in the words of the librarian, Ms Sikelo (Helena Pipe): “If you are looking for magic, you will find it here.”