Contemporary dance performances often take some deciphering, even for the most seasoned spectators.With Inspired, this was rarely the case. Unlike past shows, this year’s offering from the Cambridge University Contemporary Dance Workshop (CUCDW) featured less of the impressive-yet-inexplicable as producer, Emily Curtis-Harper, opted for a performance which would be “more accessible to audiences composed primarily of non-dancers”.

Indeed, whilst the few abstract and experimental pieces scattered throughout the company repertoire were met with polite – if somewhat puzzled – applause, it was the gravity-defying acrobatics of the Rock ‘n’ Roll dancers and the spectacular precision of the Lindy Hoppers which had the almost-full house cheering loudest.

The genres showcased were less varied than I had expected of CUCDW, who offer a wide range of classes and workshops. With no sign of belly-dancing or ‘Afro-fusion’, and only a blink-or-you’ll-miss-it exhibition of break-dancing, the show verged upon monotony at times. Of the profusion of balletic and contemporary pieces, however, a handful really stood out. The animated expressions and tight unison of ‘Girl With One Eye’ and ‘Laughing With’ were exciting to watch, whilst the expertly executed lifts and contact work of ‘Divided’ were performed so smoothly and sensually that the audience couldn’t help but ‘ahh’.

Unfortunately, however, the Donnie Darko-inspired piece seemed a little confused by the addition of a monologue and flying popcorn. In other words, hip hop decided to get contemporary.

In many dances, this layering of a narrative into the movement worked well, aiding the audience’s understanding of the piece; it caused others, however, to seem lacklustre. The narrative sometimes felt like an afterthought, performed without conviction or energetic belief in the ‘inspiration’ behind it.

Intricate movement vocabulary gave way, however, to sheer spectacle in what was definitely the most visually stimulating dance. ‘Shades of Swing’ was an extravaganza of dazzling white gloves and ultra-violet light. For an effective version of this piece, see the show before their pristine pumps are destroyed by popcorn stains.

The lighting was impeccable, the choreographies not-too-bewildering and the show oozed a surprising amount of sex appeal, to the delight of the predominantly male audience members sitting around me. However the demographic was very differently skewed onstage and it would have been preferable to see more men dancing in roles besides partner work.

Nonetheless – and in spite of music by Justin Beiber – the opening night was a success. The audience seemed to appreciate the avoidance of overly abstract dance, although more confidence and energy on the part of the dancers could have lifted the atmosphere further, making up for the somewhat lacking variety, and showing that their movements really are Inspired.