Moving With the Times is a showcase for Oxford talent, presenting new work specially commissioned for Dancin’ Oxford 2012. This year’s performers were an interestingly varied bunch.

In I am on 80 Aya Kobayashi explores the idea of time ticking away equally for everyone. Time itself is represented by an on-stage metronome, set at different speeds as Kobayashi goes through various phases of life, including having a baby — a clockwork infant with which she dances — and doddering old age. Early passages with an umbrella are very beautiful.

Anja Meinhardt’s physical theatre piece Dare to Dream deals with “the fine line between doubt and dream, fear and faith, loss and life”. Meinhardt is also an accomplished dancer, so the movement is attractive, but it’s perplexing. Eventually the floor is filled with about 50 balloons, some of which she bursts.

In complete contrast Ground Effect features Nomi McLeod, a corde lisse (smooth rope) artiste. Starting high above the stage, entangled in the thick rope, she moves gradually down in a series of acrobatic and sensuous moves, “exploring a woman’s strength and fragility”.

Jo Lott is a film-maker as well as a dancer and choreographer, and the opening and closing of her new piece Tender (above) features a rather beautiful water-logged marsh, with dancers moving across it.

On the stage Helen Wadge, David Hudson and Daniel Baird bring to life her interesting examination of the inherent strength, vulnerability, aggression and kindness of the hero figure.

Emma Webb’s Dead Man Dancing is about a woman waiting for the return of a man who went to sea. Leaving at the side of the stage her life’s baggage — quite a pile — she dances with a suspended man’s suit. Is it her dream, her wishful thinking, or the ghost of the lost mariner? A touching piece.

Finally, we had some light-hearted tap dancing from six girls in Solely Rhythm, including the choreographer, Hannah de Cancho. It was fun.