When I learnt that Will Young would be reprising his West End role as Emcee in Rufus Norris’ new touring production of Cabaret at the Bristol Hippodrome, I was in two minds.

By all accounts I had heard on the grapevine that the production was excellent, but I couldn’t help but have flashbacks to late 2002, when I sat and watched the epic pop balladry of Young vs Gates on Pop Idol.

But from the first moment he appears, powdered and striking through the giant letter ‘O’ of the word ‘Willkomen’, Young captivates, holding the stage like a genuine master of ceremonies.

Dark, camp, creepy and powerful, his portrayal of Emcee is not likely to be bettered any time soon.

He catapults us, along with naïve American Clifford Bradshaw (played by Matt Rawle) into the world of the hedonistic Kit Kat Club.

The allure of pre-war Berlin is captured to perfection by Katrina Lindsay’s staging: stark, metal cages and shadows vying with flashbulbs and limelight.

Not to be outdone, Siobhan Dillon (you might remember her as coming third in ‘How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria’) bursts into this scene as Sally Bowles.

Like Young, Dillon roars into character from the first syllable of the first song. She captures Sally’s hard, yet desperately fragile nature, and flings out some crowd-stunning notes while she’s at it.

The most noticeable element of this show is its attitude of slick, no-excuses professionalism that is so often missing from touring productions.

Songs such as ‘Tomorrow Belongs to Me’ and ‘Two Ladies’ are re-imagined with stunning effect, whether comic, poignant or a heady mix of both.

This production truly is the sum of its parts, and it would be impossible to choose an individual favourite between the staging, the performances or choreography. Standing ovations on opening nights are fairly unusual, but in this case, wholly justified.

Review by Laura Hounsom

Cabaret is at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday. For more information, visit www.atgtickets.com/shows/cabaret/bristol-hippodrome.