Man to Man

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.   

More than 30 years after she first brought the role to life, Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin, Orlando) makes a long-awaited return to stage as Ella/Max in Manfred Karge’s Man to Man - the role she originated in the acclaimed 1987 UK premiere at the Traverse Theatre.  

This landmark production reunites the multi-award-winning creative team, including director Stephen Unwin (The Conquest of the South Pole) and designer Bunny Christie (People, Places and Things)ahead of transferring to the Berliner Ensemble and a run in New York City in Spring 2027. 

Photo by Sølve Sundsbø. Design by Guy Sanders. 

The Traverse is funded by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council.

"Man to Man is a remarkable piece of theatre that continues to reveal something new with each generation that encounters it. Nearly forty years after its UK premiere at the Traverse, its exploration of identity, humanity and survival feels every bit as urgent and thought-provoking as ever, speaking directly to many of the social and political questions that continue to shape our lives today. 

We're proud that the production's UK story began on our stage in 1987. To welcome it back to Edinburgh, and to the theatre where audiences first encountered it, feels both significant and deeply moving. The opportunity to see Tilda Swinton revisit a role that has become such an important part of both the production's legacy and the Traverse's history is a rare privilege, and one we're excited to share with Edinburgh audiences.” 

Ellen Gledhill, Traverse Executive Director