Royal Court Theatre Marks 70 Years with Tilda Swinton and Gary Oldman in Lead Roles

the Royal Court Theatre is marking its 70th anniversary in 2026, and two major actors—Tilda Swinton and Gary Oldman—are part of the celebrations.

What’s happening

The Royal Court has announced a special 70th anniversary season for 2026. The Standard+2aussietheatre.com.au+2
As part of that season:
- Tilda Swinton will reprise her performance in Man to Man (a one-woman play by Manfred Karge) which she first performed at the Royal Court in 1988. theatre-news.com+2aussietheatre.com.au+2
- Gary Oldman will star in and direct Krapp’s Last Tape (by Samuel Beckett), which opens at the Royal Court in May 2026. The Standard+1
These two names add star power to the celebration season, but the season also features new works, revivals, world premieres and a focus on new playwrights and creative voices. aussietheatre.com.au+1

Why it matters

The Royal Court’s 70th anniversary is a major milestone for one of London’s most influential theatres—especially known for commissioning new writing and for bold, innovative work. Having high-profile actors like Swinton and Oldman return to the stage emphasises the theatre’s relevance and prestige.
For Tilda Swinton, this marks a major return to the London stage (after decades), revisiting a piece that was important in her early theatre career.
For Gary Oldman, it’s a return to theatre performance after many years and a homecoming of sorts to the Royal Court which played a role in his early stage work.
The pairing of established stars with new writing and emerging voices shows a deliberate balancing of heritage + future ambition for the theatre.

Key details to know

Tilda Swinton’s production Man to Man will run at the Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 5 September to 24 October 2026. After that it’s planned to transfer to the Berliner Ensemble and later off-Broadway in New York. aussietheatre.com.au+1
Gary Oldman’s Krapp’s Last Tape will run at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 8 May to 30 May 2026. The Irish News+1
The season opens with world premieres (e.g., Luke Norris’s Guess How Much I Love You?) and closes with pieces like Ryan Calais Cameron’s The Afronauts book-ending the year. The Standard+1
The artistic director, David Byrne, described the season as “a year-long party” and emphasised that the anniversary is both a look back and a step forward. The Standard+1

What you might want to watch/watch out for

If you’re interested in attending, note that tickets will likely go on sale in advance (Friends/Supporters first, then general public). Check the Royal Court’s website for exact sale dates. Express & Star
Because this includes transfers (Berlin, New York) and limited runs, seats might be in high demand—especially for the star-led productions.
The theatre isn’t just putting on safe classics—it’s also commissioning new work, spotlighting younger writers and taking creative risks. So the season blends tradition with innovation.
For fans of either actor, this offers a rare chance to see them on stage in a major London theatre in new contexts.

In short

The Royal Court’s 70th anniversary season is shaping up to be a big event in London theatre. With Tilda Swinton and Gary Oldman taking key roles in the lineup, it signals a strong nod to legacy and star-power. But just as much, the season aims to push forward—highlighting new plays, fresh voices and bold ideas. If theatre is your thing, especially live performance, this is one to keep an eye on.