Here’s Tilda Swinton on stage at the Royal Court Theatre in Manfred Karge’s Man to Man, which continues until October 24, 2026.
More than 30 years after she first brought the role to life at both the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and Royal Court Theatre, and the last time she performed live in a theatre, Swinton returns in the lead role as Ella/Max.
In 1930s Germany, a woman puts on her dead husband’s trousers and never takes them off. As the world around her changes, she endures war and dictatorship, hunger and humiliation – always fighting to stay alive.
Translated from German by Anthony Vivis and revised by Stephen Unwin (2026), the play reunites members of the original creative team, including director Unwin, designer Bunny Christie and lighting designer Ben Ormerod.
Man to Man is performed as part of the Royal Court Theatre’s 70th anniversary season, the production will subsequently transfer to the Traverse Theatre, which originally produced the UK premiere before it transferred to the Royal Court Theatre in 1987. From Edinburgh, Man to Man continues its journey around the world, running at the Berliner Ensemble, Manfred Karge’s artistic home, and concluding its season in New York in Spring 2027.
The full creative team includes sound designer Elena Peña, projection designer Matt Powell, movement director Kane Husbands, design associate Verity Sadler, props supervisor Lily Mollgaard, associate director Eleanor Burke and voice by Hazel Holder.
The production runs at the Royal Court Theatre to Saturday, October 24. Tickets here.
Top image: Man to Man, credit Ruediger Glatz (image supplied)