More than 30 years after she first played the role, Tilda Swinton returns to the stage in Man to Man embarking on an international tour spanning London, Edinburgh, Berlin and New York. Man to Man marks her first live stage performance since the original 1987 production
This autumn, Manfred Karge’s Man to Man will return to the Royal Court Theatre, as part of the venue’s 70th anniversary season, before embarking on a series of international engagements. This major artistic collaboration will see the production return to Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, which originally produced the UK premiere before it transferred to the Royal Court in 1987.
Tilda Swinton, who first brought the role of Ella/Max to life, returns to the production for this anniversary. The production also reunites members of its original creative team, including director Stephen Unwin, designer Bunny Christie and lighting designer Ben Ormerod.
Photos: Tilda Swinton in rehearsal for Man to Man
About Man to Man
The play follows a woman in 1930s Germany who 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.
The full creative team also 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 work by Hazel Holder.
Plan your visit
- Venue: Royal Court Theatre, London
- Performance dates: booking to 24 October 2026
- Age guidelines: 14+
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