THEY have sparkled on stages from Marrakech to Monte Carlo – now vivacious vocal trio The Swingcats are back on home turf for their first tour in more than two years.

Sisters of Swing will include hits by The Andrews Sisters and jazz greats Peggy Lee, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald, as one third of the group, Alyson Orr, explains.

“We will be featuring all of our favourite songs including Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Fever and My Baby Just Cares For Me,” she says.

“The title is more about the singers we are showcasing - but I like the idea that it refers to us too.”

She smiles: “We are all part of the Swing Sisterhood.”

Alyson, Nicola Auld and Laura Ellis have been touring the world with The Swingcats for many years, delivering sassy three-part harmony alongside big names like Annie Ross, Carol Kidd, Claire Martin and Martin Taylor.

They recently performed in We'll Meet Again with June Whitfield and the London Concert Orchestra at venues all over the UK and have toured their own shows, with musical arranger Karen MacIver, to great acclaim.

But it’s been a while since Glasgow got to hear them – so they are delighted to be back.

“It's been a couple of years since we've toured so we are looking forward to it,” says Alyson, who is also an actor and theatre producer.

“We get on well so it's always good fun in the dressing room before the show and the chat can be quite colourful.

“We've often joked that the 'behind the scenes' gossip would make a great fly on the wall documentary.”

She adds: “We work well together as we are all good friends and we still enjoy putting on shows.”

Creating the Swingcats style is down to the three of them, as Alyson explains.

“Some of our costumes we have picked up in stores, others have been made especially for us,” she says, adding with a laugh: “We recently went on a shopping spree to find some new gowns and were constantly asked - are you going to be bridesmaids, as we were all dressed the same in the changing room.”

She adds: “We try to find colours which flatter all three of us which can be a challenge as Nikki and I are blonde and fair whereas Laura is dark and sultry.

“We do our own hair and make-up but Nikki is in charge of making sure we look the part – from perfect curls to getting the seams in the stockings straight.”

Recent tours for the trio have taken them as far afield as Dubai and Dublin and they also released a charity single in aid of The Dog's Trust.

"The Dog's Trust single was an interesting experience with celebrities such as Billy Boyd and John Barrowman generously giving up their time appear in the music video," recalls Alyson.

"The centre in Glasgow really got behind it and were very supportive. We also got to meet the dogs, which was amazing - we all love dogs."

Life away from The Swingcats is busy for all three women - Nikki is also an actor, and has appeared in several productions at the Pavilion and in panto acrtoss the country, while Laura is a yoga teacher and a great vegetarian cook.

“We hope she'll open her own restaurant someday,” smiles Alyson. “We all love rehearsing at her house as she makes lunch for us and it's always knock out.”

Alyson, too, is busy producing and acting.

As well as her Sunday residency at Guy’s restaurant in Glasgow, she is performing in Des Dillon’s black comedy Six Black Candles at the Pavilion, alongside Joyce Falconer and Julie Duncanson. She also recently produced There's Been A Life, Taggart star Alex Norton's one man show based on his autobiography of the same name.

“That was a wonderful experience - the show was hilarious and Alex was amazing to work with,” says Alyson.

“I enjoy everything I do but singing is probably my favourite."

She adds: "I went to a very musical school so music has always been a huge part of my life.

"My grandad played piano and my dad had a fine voice so when I was growing up our family parties were always full of singing - with everyone having their own party piece.”

Alyson has also been spending some time in New York, where she is hoping to produce a show next year.

“I’ve been over looking at venues and I'm also working on a new musical with an NY based songwriter,” she says.

“I love New York - there's so much going on in Manhattan, it would be a dream come true to perform or produce here.”

She marvels: “I also bumped into Tony Bennet in the street.

“On one trip, I went to a party in a garage just outside the city. It was a jamming session for older musicians who'd worked with people like Sinatra and I got to sing with them.

“They were all world class players - it was an awesome night that I won't forget in a hurry.”

She’d also love to take the Swingcats stateside.

“I would love to do some gigs with the Cats in the future,” she nods.

“If any opportunities come up, we will be on that plane in a New York minute….”

The Sisters of Swing Tour kicks off on August 26 and will visit Eastwood Park Theatre in Giffnock on September 8 (www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk), Cumbernauld Theatre on September 9 (www.cumbernauldtheatre.co.uk), Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock on October 7 (www.beaconartscentre.co.uk), East Kilbride Arts Centre on October 27 (www.slleisureandculture.co.uk) and the Pavilion Theatre in Jukebox Memories on November 3 and 4 (www.paviliontheatre.co.uk). The Swingcats will also be appearing at the Scottish Airshow in Prestwick from September 1 to 3 (www.tsia.scot).