YORK Swings Against Cancer will return to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, on October 1.

What's more, after the annual fundraiser sold out for the past three years, organisers Martin Lettin and Ian Surgenor have decided to add a 2pm matinee to the 7pm evening performance on a weekend that will mark the 30th anniversary of the York Against Cancer charity.

York Swings will form the second part of an ambitious York Proms-style weekend. The day before, on September 30, the York Against Cancer promotions team will be staging the first York Musicals Against Cancer concert in performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, again in aid of the charity.

Martin says: "We’ve gone for it this year after feedback from last year’s York Swings show. It doesn’t cost anything extra to put the additional show on as we're all volunteering our services, as are the staff at the theatre, and if we manage to increase our ticket sales with the additional show, that means more proceeds to the charity."

The 2017 York Swings show will once more feature Sam Johnson and his Big Band, plus artists from the York music scene singing big band numbers. "This year we're going back to purely Rat Pack and Vegas scene classics following last year’s mix of old classics and swing revamps of modern-day hits," says Sam.

York Press:

York Swings Against Cancer organiser Martin Lettin, York Against Cancer general manager Julie Russell and York musician Alex James

In a major coup for the event, Malton singer turned West End star Scott Garnham will perform a few songs on the Sunday as a special guest, fresh from a fortnight away on his honeymoon.

Scott has just finished an 18-month tour of Billy Elliot, playing Billy’s brother, having appeared earlier in such West End shows as Les Miserables. "Scott is returning to the Rowntree Theatre, where he first performed back in 2001, and is more than happy to help out for such an amazing cause," says Martin.

This year’s goal is to surpass last year’s fundraising total of £3,800 by adding the matinee and two York Musicals Against Cancer shows, organised by York Stage Musicals artistic director Nik Briggs and Rowntree Players producer and director Howard Ella, on behalf of YAC Promotions.

This show will comprise classic songs from the world of musical theatre, along with dance routines choreographed by Lesley Hill, from the Attitude Dance Club in York.

"We've been spoilt for choice with all the local talent who want to do their bit for our local charity, so we've had to hold auditions, and it promises to be a very special show," says Martin.

Tickets for each performance cost £15 at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk. All profits go to York Against Cancer.