Man to Man Tickets

Man to Man in London

Tilda Swinton returns to the stage in Man to Man, a haunting one-woman show about survival, identity and disguise set in 1930s Germany. Swinton reprises the role she first played over three decades ago, reuniting with the original creative team in this landmark revival of Manfred Karge’s powerfully “stark, explosive and mysterious” (Northern Soul) play, coming to the Royal Court Theatre in the heart of Sloane Square for a strictly limited run. Don't miss this “murky, dream-like and fractured monologue” (Time Out) - secure your tickets today. 

What is the play Man to Man about? 

In 1930s Germany, a woman dons her dead husband’s trousers and refuses to take them off. As the world around her careens through dictatorship, war, starvation and shame, Ella becomes Max, and fights to survive, disguising herself, adapting and holding on to any scrap of life she can.

Raw, visceral and poetic, Man to Man explores themes of identity and transformation, the burdens we carry (or wear), the survival instinct in extreme times and asks what we’ll do to survive, and what we’ll become in the process. 

The History of Man to Man

Based on a remarkable true story, the English-language version of Man to Man (or Mann ist Mann in the original German) translated by Anthony Vivis, made its UK premiere in 1988 at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, with Tilda Swinton in the lead role. The production later transferred to the Royal Court, and received a film adaptation in 1990, also starring Swinton in the sole role. The show has since had several revivals, with various performers tackling the lead role.

Now, over three decades later, Man to Man returns to the Royal Court in a rare revival led by its original collaborators. Tilda Swinton, Stephen Unwin and designer Bunny Christie reunite for the first time since 1988. As part of the Royal Court’s 70th anniversary season, this production is both a celebration of theatre history and a timely reflection on survival, identity and transformation in a world still marked by conflict and change. Following its London run, Man to Man is set to transfer to the Berliner Ensemble and later to New York in Spring 2027.

Tilda Swinton in Man to Man

Tilda Swinton reprises the role of Ella/Max in Man to Man, more than three decades after first performing it at the Traverse Theatre and Royal Court in 1988. Known for her genre-defying roles and long-standing collaborations with filmmakers including Derek Jarman, Luca Guadagnino and Wes Anderson, Swinton is one of the most distinctive performers of her generation. She is an Academy Award winner and is best known for her work in the Narnia films, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Orlando, I Am Love, The Souvenir, and Snowpiercer.

Who are the creative team of Man to Man? 

The production is directed by Stephen Unwin (The Conquest of the South Pole, King Lear, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg), who also directed the original UK production. He reunites with Tony and Olivier Award-winning designer Bunny Christie (People, Places and Things, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Company).

The English translation of Manfred Karge’s text is by Anthony Vivis (The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, The Prince of Homburg).

Lighting is by Ben Ormerod (The Tempest, The Glass Menagerie, Translations), sound design is by Ella Wahlström (Death of England, Baghdaddy), and video design is by Maxine Doyle (Punchdrunk: Sleep No More) and Tal Rosner (The Lehman Trilogy, 4.48 Psychosis).

Book Tickets for Man to Man at the Royal Court

This landmark revival of Man to Man marks the return of Tilda Swinton to the stage in a powerhouse solo performance. With the original creative team reuniting for the first time in decades, this production promises to be a theatrical event like no other. Man to Man is “a defiant combination of the brave and the ridiculous, unexpectedly moving and [...[brilliant” (The Independent). You won’t want to miss it - secure your tickets for Man to Man at the Royal Court today.