Swan lake, Royal Opera House, London Richard Alston Dance Company, Sadler's Wells, London

The Royal Ballet season opened with the first of many Swan Lakes, and with too many wobbles. This performance was carried by its Swan Queen, Marianela Nuñez dancing with soft grandeur. Around her, there's a world of bustle and fuss. Anthony Dowell's 1987 production is chatteringly busy. He sets out to create an authentic text for his production, but he also moves the story from a fairy-tale setting to a very solid 19th century. The corps de ballet rhubarb away, with courtiers flouncing and peasants oh-so-naturalistically dropping goblets.

In this revival, the company have more conviction in the stage business than they do in the dancing. Returning as swans, the corps lack stretch and expansiveness. In their first entrance, their jumps don't fly: they look small-scale, polite. So thank heavens for Nuñez, who has grown into the mournful, enchanted role of the Swan Queen. There's a quality of awareness in her Odette, in her gaze and the carriage of her head. Thiago Soares wasn't quite on form as her Prince, but remains a strong, exuberant dancer.

Over at Sadler's Wells, 40/60 celebrates Richard Alston's 60th birthday, and 40 years of his choreography. The Men In My Life mixes solos, duets and group dances, from 1971's Strider to 2004's Shimmer. It's a marvellous compilation, demonstrating the range of Alston's sensitive, musical style. These dances go from the proud baroque of Water Music, danced by guest Jason Piper, to the strict but eccentric classicism of Dutiful Ducks.

In Rumours Visions, Darren Ellis and Andres de Blust-Mommaerts evoke the affair of poets Verlaine and Rimbaud, the mood tender with hints of fierceness. Movements from Petrushka has Pierre Tappon tugged by the rhythms of Stravinsky's score.

The new Blow Over is intelligently made, but less distinctive. Philip Glass's bombastic score mixes orchestral repetition with pop lyrics by Paul Simon and Suzanne Vega. Shuffle It Right, created this year, shows off Alston's love of syncopated rhythms and social dance moves. Footwork is quick and brilliant.

'Swan Lake' in rep to 25 October (020-7304 4000); Richard Alston Dance Company tour continues to 25 November (www.theplace.org.uk )