The innovative and singular Kneehigh theatre company return to Oxford with a rather grown-up adaptation of an ancient story, sometimes known as The Handless Maiden but known here as The Wild Bride.

Expectations are high after they previous wowed audiences with shows such as Brief Encounter and The Red Shoes, both of which played to packed houses at the Playhouse in the last couple of years.

The story of The Handless Maiden is probably best known as part of Grimms’ Fairytales, but it exists in different versions around Europe. In this adaptation, a poor country man (Stuart Godwin) sells the contents of his backyard to the devil (Stuart McLoughlin) in exchange for unimaginable riches. Unfortunately, the contents of the back yard also include his young daughter.

However, the devil quickly finds out that he cannot claim the poor man’s daughter. This is despite many attempts to dirty the girl; a sequence of events of unspeakable acts which culminate early in the severing of her hands. For the rest of this two-hour show, we see the girl age (and played by three different actresses, Audrey Brusson, Patrycja Kujawska and Eva Magyar, in the process) and the devil’s increasingly desperate attempts to claim her.

Kneehigh presents the tale in its unique style, with players who act, sing, dance and play instruments (from an accordion to a double bass). This cabaret, almost revue- style, show creates a breathless atmosphere, and combined with the set — looking as if composed of objects found in the street — the whole piece seems fresh and even a little dangerous. While the narrative is much-trodden, anything goes dramatically.

Indeed, this adaptation certainly shares the darkness of a fairytale from the Brothers Grimm. Although the violence is either depicted cartoonishly or abstractly, it does shock and the recommended age of eight plus is perhaps optimistic. There is also an undercurrent of sexuality to the production which is alternately disconcerting and eye-grabbing. These grotesque and raunchier aspects are part of the unique flavour of the production, which calls to mind both the films of Tim Burton and a seaside postcard.

Ultimately, the production is a lot of fun. Although spinning off at tangents, the story is a simple one. The amount of dance and song used in the production is a wonderful relief from the darkness.

This is wonderfully weird and surprisingly grown-up night out but a production to treasure.

Continues until Saturday. Tickets: www.oxfordplayhouse.com or 01865 305305.