Richard Alston has plenty to celebrate, and so do we. For 40 years he has been producing informed and imaginative choreography that places him at the head of the contemporary dance scene in Britain. So it's no wonder that the opening night of his Sadler's Wells season was greeted with a packed house of cheering well-wishers who had gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his career and his 60th birthday.

Alston is our most musical choreographer, a man whose astute awareness of music allows his movement to plug into rhythm and melody simultaneously. This programme, part of the Richard Alston Dance Company's autumn tour (and also part of the London Dance Umbrella festival), was a chance to appreciate the diversity of his work over the course of more than 35 years.

Shuffle It Right, a new piece, has songs by Hoagy Carmichael and a blithe demeanour - if dances could smile this one would be grinning. Alston's loose easy writing for the women is paired with some truly witty and energetic allegro for the men, and although the latter get the better deal in their quick, frisky steps, the women bring a welcome personal touch to their performance.

Blow Over is also new, a dance for ten jointly commissioned by Sadler's Wells and Dance Umbrella, their birthday present to Alston. With music by Philip Glass and lyrics by Paul Simon and Suzanne Vega, Blow Over is at its most dynamic when embracing all of Alston's fine ensemble. This is where you can appreciate the liquidity of his writing and the way the clever, sleek architecture of its construction gives the dance volume.

In the middle came The Men in My Life, Alston's tribute to the male dancers “who in some way took my work to a new place”. Nine snapshots that showcase his development as a choreographer, from the rigour and studiousness of Strider (1971), to the agitation and resolve of Movements from Petrushka (1994), the tender lyricism of Rumours Visions (1993) and the brilliant precision and flow of Dutiful Ducks (1982), here danced with terrific panache by former Alston dancer Jonathan Goddard, who also excelled in the Fingerprint solo. Throughout, the entire company did Alston proud on his big day. He couldn't have asked for better.

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Oct 7-8, Northcott Theatre, Exeter, Nov 4-5; Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Nov 11; Swan, High Wycombe, Nov 25

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