Barks will head the cast of the touring version of the recent West End production of Cabaret, playing Sally Bowles opposite Wayne Sleep (former Royal Ballet principal, who originated the role of Mr. Mistoffelees in the original production of Cats in 1981) as the Emcee. Sleep has previously played this role in a previous West End version of Cabaret that played the Strand Theatre (now the Novello) in 1986. Barks hails from the Isle of Man, which was re-named "Isle of Sam" for a day to mark her success in the reality TV show. In a press statement, she said, "I'm absolutely thrilled to get this part. Cabaret is one of my favorite shows ever and Sally Bowles is such a great part to play. Having met Liza Minnelli during the filming of 'I'd Do Anything' I'm beside myself with excitement."

This production, directed by Rufus Norris, originally ran at the Lyric Theatre in London September 2006-June 2008. The tour will launch at Birmingham Repertory Theatre Aug. 13-Sept. 13, then travel to Bristol Hipopodrome (Sept. 15-20), Liverpool Empire (Sept. 22-27), Nottingham's Theatre Royal (Sept. 29-Oct. 4), Manchester's Palace Theatre (Oct. 6-11), Woking's New Victoria Theatre (Oct. 13-18), Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre (Oct. 20-25), Bath's Theatre Royal (Oct. 27-Nov. 1, where Sleep will not appear), Truro's Hall for Cornwall (Nov. 17-22), Northampton's Royal and Derngate (Nov. 24-29), Eastbourne's Congress Theatre (Dec. 2-6), Malvern's Festival Theatre (Dec. 8-13), Hull's New Theatre (Feb 23-28, 2009) and Glasgow's Theatre Royal (Mar. 30-Apr. 4).