Pineapple Poll (Cranko)

John Cranko choreographed Pineapple Poll, and Sir Charles Mackerras arranged music by Arthur Sullivan. It premiered at Sadler's Wells Theatre on 13 March 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain. [Royal Ballet and Opera Collections](https://rohcollections.org.uk/work.aspx?work=1369)

The bumboat woman Pineapple Poll falls for Captain Belaye of HMS Hot Cross Bun, while Jasper the pot boy loves Poll. The comedy resolves with the sailors, their sweethearts, and the captain's intended Blanche finding their proper partners. [Voices of British Ballet](https://voicesofbritishballet.com/timeline/1951-premiere-of-john-crankos-pineapple-poll-by-sadlers-wells-theatre-ballet/)

Its plot expands W. S. Gilbert's Bab Ballad The Bumboat Woman's Story, and its score borrows tunes from Gilbert and Sullivan operas. It is related to H.M.S. Pinafore in source material, but it is a one-act comic ballet rather than an operetta. [Gilbert and Sullivan Archive](https://www.gsarchive.net/pine_poll/index.html)

The action begins in Portsmouth and later moves aboard HMS Hot Cross Bun. Osbert Lancaster designed the original sets and costumes for the 1951 ballet. [Royal Ballet and Opera Collections](https://rohcollections.org.uk/work.aspx?work=1369)