GREAT UNCLE LAZAR’S TEA TROLLY DANCE

The Constantinople Chapter

A short film by Sally Child (15 mins), with original music by Lazar Sverdloff (written in 1908 and 1917), Catherine Shrubshall and Richard Kett (written in 2023).

Great Uncle Lazar’s Tea Trolley Dance – The Constantinople Chapter is a whimsical short film directed by Sally Child, blending original music by Lazar Sverdloff (1908-1917) and new compositions by Catherine Shrubshall and Richard Kett (2023). Set in the beautiful Royal Albion Ballroom in Walton-on-the-Naze, this delightful film features a troupe of Essex tea trolley dancers improvising with playful elegance to palm court music. The soundtrack pays homage to Lazar’s journey through Turkey during his long voyage from Ukraine to Australia in the early 20th century, with original manuscripts rediscovered and orchestrated by Shrubshall and Kett.

The project began over coffee with textile artist Shane Waltener, who revealed his great uncle, Lazar Sverdloff, had been a violinist and composer who travelled across Europe, leaving behind a treasure trove of musical manuscripts. These long-lost works were brought to life when they arrived from Australia, sparking a creative collaboration. Two of Lazar’s Turkish-inspired string quartets were chosen to start the project, and a new Kett/Shrubshall composition soon followed. The film, complete with tea trolleys and quirky costumes, encapsulates a celebration of music, history, and joyful improvisation.

The resulting short film and music were premiered on 30th December 2023 at “The Nose” Project Space in Walton-on-the-Naze,  Essex