EVELYN Witcombe has had longer than usual to prepare her York dance students for her 47th annual showcase, Viva La Dance.

"We didn't have a show in May this year, so I've had more time to spend on getting it ready for the autumn," says Evelyn, whose display of myriad forms of dance will run at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre from November 12 to 14 at 7.30pm.

Produced, directed and choreographed by Evelyn, the show will mark the week of Remembrance Sunday with The Gals performing We Remember, a memorial to the Army, Navy and Air Force, in which the dancers will march off half way through and return through a different wing wearing poppies. "Remembrance Sunday falls only a few days before our performances and it will be very touching to do this dance routine," says Evelyn.

Highlights will range from the Panache troupe performing Luck Be A Lady and Black Bottom Jive, through the Sunbeams dancing Bandits Gallop and Black Horses, to the Starlets presenting Teddy Bears' Picnic and Catching Snowflakes. York Press:

Courtney Richardson will be dancing The Sugar Plum Fairy

Rainbow will perform Cotton Eye Joe in the first half and Lullaby Of Broadway in the second, when students from Rainbow will dance Blue Danube too.

The first half will close with Amazing Grace, featuring a choir organised by Heather Richardson and Katherine Coombes, and the All Saints and St Andrew's Choir will sing Wish You Luck in tandem with the audience and a recording of Gracie Fields.

Among the soloists will be Courtney Richardson, 17, keeping it in the family as she dances The Sugar Plum Fairy. "She's one of my 12 grandchildren, but the only who's following in my footsteps," says Evelyn. "Dancing is definitely in her blood."

Viva La Dance will take in ballet, tap and jazz to acrobatics and Irish dance, as well as the special armed forces number. Tickets cost £12, with concessions available at £10 only for the first night, on 01904 623568 and 01904 652202 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk