JINXED ORANGES
Writer: Shubha Bhatt Bhasin
Director: Shubha Bhatt Bhasin
Genre: Comedy | Commedia dell’Arte
Language: Hindi
Duration: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
About The Play
Jinxed Oranges is a vibrant family comedy inspired by the timeless traditions of Commedia dell’Arte, the celebrated Italian theatrical form renowned for its expressive masks, physical comedy, improvisation, and larger-than-life characters.
At the heart of the story is Prince Charles, a young prince believed to be bound by the mysterious curse of the jinxed oranges. His extraordinary journey unfolds through a world inhabited by eccentric magicians, mischievous clowns, cunning witches, spirited princesses, and an unforgettable cast of whimsical characters. As failed spells, mistaken identities, and magical chaos follow one another, every challenge brings him closer to discovering the truth behind the curse.
Beneath its laughter and fantasy, the play explores universal themes of fear, courage, imagination, and the invisible beliefs that often shape our lives. It gently reminds us that the greatest obstacles are not always magical—they are often the doubts we carry within ourselves.
Performed with minimal scenic elements, striking visual design, dynamic lighting, and highly physical performances, Jinxed Oranges embraces the spontaneity of live theatre, where improvisation and audience interaction make every performance a unique experience.
Created for audiences of all ages, the production invites children to believe in the impossible while encouraging adults to rediscover the joy, curiosity, and wonder they once carried as children. Rich in humour, theatrical energy, and heartfelt storytelling, Jinxed Oranges is a celebration of imagination, reminding us that every great adventure begins the moment we choose to believe in a little magic.
Director's Note
Some stories are chosen. Others quietly choose us.
Jinxed Oranges chose me.
As I began my journey as a theatre director, I wanted to tell a story that could make people laugh wholeheartedly while leaving behind a feeling that stayed with them long after the applause had faded. This play became that story—not because it was the easiest to stage, but because it was the most honest place to begin.
On the surface, Jinxed Oranges is a whimsical tale of a prince, a princess, a mysterious curse, eccentric magicians, mischievous clowns, and a world where almost anything is possible. Beneath its fantasy, however, lies a reflection on the fears, doubts, and invisible beliefs that quietly shape our lives.
Inspired by the spirit of Commedia dell’Arte, this production celebrates everything I love about theatre—playfulness, spontaneity, imagination, and the beautiful unpredictability of live performance. Every show is unique, where mistakes become moments, improvisation becomes magic, and actors trust one another to create something alive in front of an audience.
More than anything, I wanted this production to have a heart. I wanted children to believe in magic, adults to rediscover the wonder they once carried, and families to leave the theatre with memories they could cherish together.
If someone walks out a little lighter, if a child dreams a little bigger, or if an adult reconnects with the child within, then this story has found another home.
For me, theatre has never been about escaping reality. It is about returning to it with softer eyes, an open heart, and the courage to imagine a kinder world.
— Shubha Bhatt Bhasin
Writer's Note
Stories often begin with a simple question.
What if the things we fear most were never truly real?
That question became the seed from which Jinxed Oranges slowly grew.
At first glance, this is a whimsical tale filled with princes, princesses, mischievous magicians, curious clowns, witches, and mysteriously jinxed oranges. Yet beneath its humour and fantasy lies something deeply familiar—the invisible fears, superstitions, and beliefs that quietly shape our choices and often keep us from discovering who we truly are.
While writing this play, I wanted to create a world where laughter and imagination could exist alongside reflection. A world where children could lose themselves in adventure, while adults might recognise pieces of themselves hidden beneath the comedy. The characters may seem larger than life, but their hopes, doubts, and dreams belong to all of us.
Inspired by the timeless spirit of Commedia dell’Arte, the play embraces theatricality, improvisation, exaggerated characters, and the joyful unpredictability that makes live theatre so magical. It is a celebration of storytelling in its purest form—where imagination transforms an empty stage into an entire universe.
More than anything, I hope Jinxed Oranges reminds audiences that courage often begins the moment we question the fears we have always accepted as truth.
If this story leaves you smiling, wondering, and believing—if only for a little while—that magic still exists, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
Cast
- Dumbledore
- Birbal
- Prince Charles
- Princess Diana
- Brutus
- Truffaldino
- Fata Morgana
- The Cook
- Mute Bumpkin
- Princess Razel
- Princess Dazel
- Princess Hazel
- Celio
- Akaashwani
Production Team
- Director
- Music Operator
- Lighting Operator
Technical Requirements
Lighting
- 12 × Fresnel Fixtures
- 10 × LED PAR Cans
- 5 × Profile Spotlights
- 1 × Special Effect Flicker Unit
Effects
- Smoke Machine (Hazer/Fog Machine)
Sound
- Standard Front-of-House (FOH) Sound System
- 4 × Boundary Microphones