Every year, one of the highlights of Sadler's Wells' autumn season is Birmingham Royal Ballet's annual visit, bringing both a full-length classical ballet, and a triple-bill of modern works. Their 2010 programme, Pointes of View, presented Balanchine's Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, while in 2009's Quantum Leaps, they performed brand new works from artistic director David Bintley and the Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre, Garry Stewart.

The current programme, Autumn Glory, focussed on modern ballet's heritage, with Ninette de Valois's 1937 Checkmate, Frederick Ashton's 1946 Symphonic Variations and John Cranko's 1951 Pineapple Poll. Performed by some of the finest dancers in this country, this timeless triple-bill is fascinating viewing for those who are used to their ballet being much more modern.

Ninette de Valois is best-known as the founder of both the Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet as well as the Royal Ballet School, and we too easily forget her earlier career as a dancer - including with the Ballets Russes - and as a prolific choreographer, even if few of her works have survived to this day.

Checkmate is the story of a battle between Love and Death played out on in the world of chess. The striking set and costumes by E McKnight Kauffer risked overshadowing the choreography, with each character's elaborate headgear, and paintings on the back of the stage which could have easily inspired the artwork for Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon'.

Thankfully, the choreography was deliberate and simplistic, whether depicting the pawns' limited range of movement, or showing us the impressive ensemble dance of the four knights, or the Black Queen's seduction of the First Red Knight, Chi Cao, and their subsequent duel.

Checkmate is captivating in its dramatic flair and the outlandishness of its costumes and set design, with remarkable performances by Samara Downs as the Black Queen and Chi Cao as the First Red Knight - and a welcome appearance by Max Westwell as one of the Black Knights, following his recent transfer to Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Symphonic Variations is notable in being the first ballet where all of its dancers remained onstage throughout. A plotless abstract piece, essentially about stillness and the changing seasons, it explored the interplay between the three female and three male dancers, beautifully led by Jenna Roberts and Iain Mackay.

Symphonic Variations shows modern ballet in its purest form, and it's clear to see why this is acclaimed as one of Ashton's finest works: it's a brilliant introduction to his work, and should be essential viewing for all ballet newbies!

Pineapple Poll, the final piece of the evening, is instantly lovable from its opening scene of two sailors and two girls in a town square outside a bar.

Birmingham Royal Ballet's website asks "What might a classic cartoon look like if brought to life on stage?" (source); the story of Pineapple Poll is of the arrival of the dashing Captain Belaye, prompting all of the female characters to fall in love with him - much to the annoyance of his sailors, and of Jasper the Pot Boy, who's in love with Poll. Poll sneaks onto the ship, disguised as a sailor, but it turns out she's not the only one - the entire ship's crew has diminished in height with mustaches hanging on for dear life! All ends well, though, with the captain married to his sweetheart, and with Poll showing a new appreciation for Jasper on his hasty promotion to captain.

The piece is very playful, and is a perfect example of Broadway-influenced ballet, with occasional tap numbers and social dance scenes as well as plenty of comedy to enjoy as well. Gilbert & Sullivan is the ideal accompaniment for the somewhat surreal comedy of Pineapple Poll's storylines - but this piece isn't just about comedy, with beautiful choreography throughout, from Jasper's impassioned solos to Poll's hopelessly unmasculine dancing while posing as a sailor.

Pineapple Poll is a thoroughly enjoyable romp - and one to treasure. Let's hope Birmingham Royal Ballet brings this back again, and soon!