Guest Post: 'The Message Is So Universal': Actor Idriss Kargbo On Inspiration And Representation In THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND
'It’s so amazing what you can do with theatre - you don’t need all the bells and whistles to see if something is good.'
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a bold musical which tells the true story of William Kamkwamba who had the courage to dream in the face of impossible odds. It is 25 years since William's initial invention of the first turbine with this production marking the ongoing impact and retelling of his story. William’s closest friend Gilbert, the son of the Chief Wimbe, was integral in supporting, fund and labour for William’s windmill project.Idriss Kargbo plays Gilbert – William’s Best Friend from Malawi (whom he is still friends with) now writes about his experience in playing the role.
This journey has been so incredible and one I have been fortunate to be part of for two and half years. I did the first reading of the production in 2024 and a weeks’ workshop where we read the musical out loud. Alistair Nwachukwu who plays William was there too – it felt like it was meant to be and we were a matched made in heaven!
I think that is why this show has a bit of our DNA and our hearts in it as a lot of us have been with the show since its incarnation. The first reading was incredible – I knew then and there the show was going to be very special and would have great outreach to not just people of colour but people everywhere because the message is so universal. Once we started reading and bringing the characters to life I felt instantly I had to be part of this and see it all the way through.
%2C%20Idriss%20Kargbo%20(Gilbert)-0299.jpg?format=auto&width=1400)
Photo Credit: Tyler Fayose
Luckily enough I was asked to be part of a second workshop where we started putting scenes together, talking further about these characters, people, the Wimbe village and essentially creating a community which is what the story is about. At the end of the week we had a showing and was the first time we met William himself. It was so exciting – he loved it. Even then people were crying at the end and so moved. It’s so amazing what you can do with theatre - you don’t need all the bells and whistles to see if something is good. That moment in the room proved this show could be what it is now.
Fast forward to now, a year on, and we have a full on musical which is incredible. We started rehearsals last year and then performed at the RSC which was our base and foundation of what the show was going to be. It was such a bucket list tick moment for me – when you become an actor in this industry you want to do the RSC and have that moment of ‘I’m doing pretty good as an actor’! It’s such an achievement and something I am very proud to have done with this show and company.
%20and%20company_%20credit%20Tyler%20Fayose-1229.jpg?format=auto&width=1400)
Photo Credit: Tyler Fayose
Whilst we were rehearsing, Lynette Linton (director) gave us a task to research Malawi. My topic was school and I found incredible pictures and articles of what kids got for school. We say in the show about not having the money to facilitate textbooks which people in the Western world take advantage of. It’s so impressive William Read a book that someone might have put in a for sale pile and he made a windmill from that! We also created a timeline so we had a clear idea of what relationships our character’s had with others at exact moments in the show.
Experiencing Malawi wasn’t something we all could do, but the creative team did a research trip and got to smell the air, see the library, touch the red dirt and came back with that knowledge really helped us bring this world to life. Being from Africa, not Malawi specifically, I understood the themes which I think are universal.
Now we are in the glittering West End at @sohoplace - right in the heart of the West End by Tottenham Court Road. You literally cannot miss it if you are coming into London! Our wonderful, powerful musical about love, community and what you can do with dreams, hopes and ambitions is something so special. I definitely don’t take it for granted. Seeing Alistair’s face when I come into work every day is quite moving. Growing up I didn’t see many black faces blown up outside theatres and on billboards. I think seeing that representation does matter and seeing that image of Alistair keeps me grounded and is a reminder of why this is such an important show.
The reception has been just so incredible. Seeing kids in particular reactions and being inspired by this show is something I don’t take from granted. The process of being there from day one and see something evolve is so exciting and I love it so much.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is @sohoplace until 18 July
Videos
