The openly queer British actress Tilda Swinton (65) will take the stage in Berlin next year. The Berliner Ensemble will present in February 2027 her solo performance “Man to Man” (“Jacke wie Hose”). After its premiere at London’s Royal Court Theatre in September 2026, eight performances are planned in Berlin, the theater said.
“The Berlin dates are the only mainland European performances,” the announcement stated. Later, the performance will be shown in New York. Swinton is returning to the stage after a string of films (“The Room Next Door,” “Only Lovers Left Alive”).
“Man to Man” comes from German author and actor Manfred Karge. The piece tells the story of a woman who, after the death of her husband, assumes his identity and occupation in the 1930s to avoid starvation, according to the Berliner Ensemble.
Thirty years ago Swinton already played the role, the announcement noted. Now she brings the piece back to the stage, as she did in 1988, alongside director Stephen Unwin. Swinton also portrayed the role in a film adaptation.
“It’s thrilling for us to return to the Royal Court Theatre and stage this remarkable piece there once again,” Unwin said in the release. “And then bring it to Karge’s homeland, the Berliner Ensemble, where he began his career under Helene Weigel.” Pre-sales are set to begin in the fall.
Swinton is one of Britain’s most recognizable actresses. Recently she made headlines for signing two open letters during the Berlinale. In the first letter, the film festival was criticized for not taking a strong enough position on the Gaza war, and later she signed another letter backing festival director Tricia Tuttle. Parallel to Swinton’s Berlin appearances, the Berlinale will also take place in February.
