The Jest of Hahalaba

by Lord Dunsany

Release: 1926
Format: Playlet
Genres: Fantasy, Weird Fiction, Comedy
Audience: Adults
Content: Definite Time Travel
Original Language: English

Against the advice of his alchemist, Sir Arthur calls up the Spirit of Laughter on New Year’s Eve and asks to see the coming year’s issues of the Times.

— Michael Main

Sir Arthur Strangways: Only a trifle. I wish to see a file of the Times.
Hahalaba:For what year?

DEBUT

The Jest of Hahalaba, unknown first performance, circa 1926.

VARIANTS

1 English variant

DERIVATIVE WORKS

It Happened Tomorrow by Dudley Nichols and René Clair, directed by René Clair, (premiered for the Allied Forces, Bougainville Island, New Guinea, 27 March 1944).
Captain Nova by Lotte Tabbers and Maurice Trouwborst, directed by Maurice Trouwborst, (Cinekid Film Festival, 13 October 2021).

TAGS(SPOILERS!)

Time Periods

Circa AD 1900 to 1929: The earliest version we saw was set in 1926.

Time Travel Methods

Wish Travel: I wish to see a file of the Times.

Themes

Get Rich Quick through Time Travel
Media from Another Time: the Times

Fictional Tags

Angels and Demons: Although the being is called a spirit, it has the look and feel of a demon.
Genies: Or perhaps it is more of a genie. You decide!
Spirits: the Spirit of Laughter
Wish-Granters

Groupings

The Atlantic (periodical): January 1927
Cited in Time Machines by Paul J. Nahin ()

TIME TRAVEL ITINERARY (SPOILERS!)

From the files of the Times, 1927 ⋙ to Sir Arthur Strangways’s house in London, New Year’s Eve, 1926. Round trip. Note: a whole year’s worth of newspapers.

INDEXER NOTES (SPOILERS!)

Debut—We suspect that the first performance was in <samp>1926</samp> based on the opening remarks—<i>The last moments of <samp>1926</samp>. Bells are ringing in the New Year.</i>—given in it’s publication in <a href='https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Fmagazine%2Farchive%2F1927%2F01%2Fthe-jest-of-hahalaba-a-one-act-play%2F649473%2F'><em>The Atlantic,</em> <samp>December 1927</samp></a>. Later publications revised the date to the last moments of <samp>1928</samp>.