Tilda Swinton returns to the stage in Manfred Karge’s powerful Man to Man, more than 30 years after she first originated the role of Ella/Max. Directed by Stephen Unwin, the Royal Court Theatre production reunites the original creative team for a landmark revival as part of the theatre’s 70th anniversary season. Following its London run, the production will travel to Edinburgh, Berlin and New York, continuing an extraordinary international journey for one of contemporary theatre’s most compelling works.
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.
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.
Tilda Swinton the acclaimed British actor, is celebrated for her extraordinary versatility and distinctive presence across independent cinema, experimental film and Hollywood productions. She rose to international prominence with Sally Potter’s Orlando (1992) and was a key collaborator of filmmaker Derek Jarman, appearing in his films from 1985 until his death in 1994. Her performance in Edward II earned her Best Actress at the 1991 Venice Film Festival. Swinton returns to the stage in Man to Man, more than 30 years after she last performed the role at the Royal Court Theatre in 1988.
Stephen Unwin is an award-winning British theatre and opera director, writer and teacher who has directed almost 100 professional productions. His recent work includes Laughing Boy, which he wrote and directed at Jermyn Street Theatre in 2024, adapted from Sara Ryan’s memoir about her son Connor Sparrowhawk and the failures of the care system.
He is currently directing the landmark revival of Manfred Karge’s Man to Man at the Royal Court Theatre, reuniting with Tilda Swinton and members of the original creative team more than 30 years after its first production. The production subsequently travels to Edinburgh, Berlin and New York.
Unwin founded English Touring Theatre in 1993 and later served as Artistic Director of the Rose Theatre, Kingston. He has also directed more than 20 operas and written extensively on theatre and drama. His 2025 book, Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong, reflects his longstanding campaign for the rights and dignity of learning-disabled people.
The production runs at the Royal Court Theatre to Saturday 24 October with Press Night on Friday 11 September 2026, and then runs at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh from Thursday 29 October – Saturday 7 November 2026. In 2027, Man to Man transfers to the Berliner Ensemble with a premiere on 9 February 2027 and will run in New York in Spring 2027, with further details to be announced.
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Saturday 5 September – Saturday 24 October 2026
Monday – Friday, 7:30pm and 2:30pm Saturday, 1:30pm and 6:30pm
Chilled Saturday 3 October 2026, 1:30pm
BSL Interpreted Wednesday 7 October 2026, 7:30pm
Captioned Friday 9 October 2026, 7:30pm & Saturday 24 October 2026, 1:30pm
Audio-described Saturday 10 October 2026, 1:30pm
Standard Tickets £15 – £74.50 Concessions*Under 30s***Access £19 (plus a companion at the same rate)
Find more information for the ROYAL COURT THEATRE HERE
