Man to Man review
Early autumn London theatre has already featured two Oscar winners: Cate Blanchett in Electra / Persona and Mark Rylance in Tartuffe (Remixed). Now Tilda Swinton makes a trio. This shows the commendable dedication of some screen talent to theatre but also the box office need, in recessions, for famous faces. Unusually, there was a first night red carpet outside the Royal Court, leading a writer long associated with the venue to express “shock” to ushers at such Hollywood vulgarity.
TL;DR
- Tilda Swinton stars in Manfred Karge's 'Man to Man,' a play about a woman assuming her husband's identity in 1930s Germany.
- The role is reprised by Swinton after 39 years, with the production touring internationally.
- The play's themes of identity fluidity and its updated coda on the resurgence of Nazi ideology make it particularly topical.
- The play features vivid imagery and Swinton's compelling performance, blending theatre with elements of performance art.
- The author notes the incongruity of a red carpet event at the historically radical Royal Court venue.