This was a hugely enjoyable look at dance that is happening in Oxfordshire’s primary schools. It was also a masterpiece of organisation. In the space of two hours, more than 400 pupils from 22 schools showed what they could do. Children appearing after the interval watched the first half from the circle and upper circle. In the short interval, those who had performed rushed upstairs to replace them, while the next lot hurtled down to take over the dressing rooms. Amazingly, this was done in about 15 minutes, while the audience milled about, waving and shouting to those they recognised.

Ones that particularly caught my eye were the tiny children who dan-ced to a number by the Jackson Five. This was enchanting, and they gave what amounted to a second performance while taking their bows. Rose Hill Primary School’s 20 dancers were a hip bunch. Their new work was well rehearsed, and there was some street dance, with one outstanding performer.

Langford Village Primary looked very sharp doing the twist, as did Stanford in the Vale. Woodstock Primary looked terrific in their brightly coloured shirts — a happy, hip performance. Northbourne’s 30 children, all in blue, went through a series of changing formations illustrating ‘perseverance’, and from Appleton came a bright bunch in multicoloured costumes with hints of carnival about them. They featured the tiniest ballerina I have ever see — and she was impressive. Finally there was an electric performance from Combe School — electrified too, as their black costumes were studded with sparkling light bulbs. This was one of the best rehearsed and showy pieces of the evening, and made a fitting climax to an ambitious show.