The Girl With No Hands is a wonderfully woven tale based on the Grimm narrative of the same name that explores how stories are told and collected.The story of the girl in question is subtly yet powerfully performed through the movement of author and actress Talya Rubin. But the play isn’t just a simple re-telling: Rubin embodies a multitude of rich characters, ranging from the sometimes brutal comic storyteller to a Grimm brother collecting the stories. As she continues to weave deeper with twists and turns the play will surprise you, whether or not you’ve ever read the Grimm tale before. 

Accordion player Julia Kater accompanies Rubin onstage, creating a vivid score that surrounds the piece with an old European feeling, tugging it back in time. And Rubin’s command on the audience keeps you in that past.

The play has changed since its original debut in 2006. Director Jodie Essery and Rubin worked on refining the production and deepening the characters.

“Because it is such rich, dark, intense and beautiful source material, it took a few versions of refining to get to the story we wanted to tell and it is a wonderful opportunity to be able to do that at the Wildside [Festival],” commented Rubin.

Rubin worked with director Essery and lighting designer Paul Chambers to design the set. It is comprised of branches attached to chairs standing in for trees, along with key prop pieces. The lighting is sparse, allowing darkness to surround the action. The beautiful detail turns the Centaur Theatre into a forest, such as the shapes of what looked like the rounds inside tree trunks shining on the sidewalls.

This piece will move you, and make you laugh. If you enjoy fairy tales and their grim origins, make sure to catch this gem.