In 1930s Germany, a woman named Ella puts on the trousers of her deceased husband, Max, and assumes his identity. Man to Man, written by Manfred Karge, tells the story of Ella/Max as she endures war, dictatorship, hunger, and humiliation in the changing world around her. When Tilda Swinton originated the role in 1988, at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre, she was 26. In 1992, she played the character in John Maybury’s film adaptation. Returning to the stage for the first time in 30 years, Swinton, at 65, again assays the role in a new production of the play at London’s Royal Court Theatre. Man to Man then tours to Edinburgh, Berlin, and, in the first months of 2027, New York. Stephen Unwin directs. —Gracie Wiener