Rufus Norris’s production of Cabaret refuses to lie down. After two West End runs it is now embarking on another national tour. And why not? The powerful production can still shock as well as entertain.

Set in Berlin with Nazism starting to rise, it tells of a writer, Clifford, and the people he encounters – particularly Sally Bowles, a mediocre nightclub singer.

As Emcee, Will Young proves to be more than a Pop Idol, giving a truly comic yet demonic performance – inane grin and charm masking menace. He carries off all the big numbers and delivers the gentle I Don’t Care Much beautifully.

Siobhan Dillon, as Sally, may occasionally speak too softly but is powerful in her singing. Maybe Next Time is beautifully measured, dripping with emotion, but in Cabaret she shows courage by lowering the quality of her singing to demonstrate Sally’s limited talent.

Lyn Paul and Linal Haft are both comic and touching as they find and lose love in old-age, while Matt Rawle is in fine voice for Clifford’s Why Should I Wake Up?

The sensual gymnastic choreography reflects the decadence of the times and the ensemble are worked hard. However, excessive background business proves distracting in some key scenes.