Review: Midnight at the Never Get, Menier Chocolate Factory

New York in the 1960s: homosexuality is regarded as a mental illness with various related criminal offences, and rock and pop music are taking over the world. Although Cabaret is going out of style, some venues stubbornly remain, such as gay club The Never Get in Greenwich Village.  

Told through reminiscences and songs, Midnight at the Never Get is a love story, funny, joyful, and poignant, set against a backdrop of social change, when same‑sex relationships were still taboo. It highlights the tension between what was accepted in public and personal tenderness, exploring different ways to protest, influence and gradually shift public opinion.

Ben Platt excels as Trevor Copeland, recounting his relationship with songwriter Arthur Brightman (Gregor Milne). He delivers a performance rich with vulnerability, joy and despair, building an easy, engaging rapport with the audience. His vocal quality fits both the character and the musical material beautifully. The onstage chemistry with Milne is equally strong; Milne’s portrayal of more reserved (usually) Arthur provides an effective counterbalance, and together they create a well‑matched dynamic. A mention also to the splendid Barry James, who has a small but important role.

Award-winning Mark Sonnenblick’s songwriting is, as expected, the backbone of the show, with each number shaping the narrative and moving it forward. The score evolves subtly as the characters and their relationship develop, shifting between humour and romance to moments of genuine poignancy. There are plenty of highlights (too many to list), but numbers like ‘My Boy in Blue’, ‘Dance With Me’, ‘My Song’, ‘Bells Keep Ringing’ and ‘Spring Again Please’ linger after the performance. In addition to Milne at the piano, a live band is tucked discreetly away, emerging cleverly during moments when the characters perform publicly within the story. Their playing, together with Milne’s, is consistently strong.

The Menier space has been transformed into an intimate cabaret setting, complete with small tables, atmospheric lighting and a gentle haze – even the ashtray with cigarette butts on my table added to the period feel. It may not be quite as seedy as The Never Get, but that’s just as well, and the overall effect is immersive.

Midnight at The Never Get proves to be a beautifully crafted piece of musical storytelling which is warm, witty and quietly powerful. Its intimate setting, the performances and music allow every emotion to land with clarity. Although the story and characters are fictional, the strength of Sonnenblick’s writing gives the piece an air of authenticity, leading to reflection on how many artists of the era were forced to choose between artistic integrity and commercial success.

Book, Music and Lyrics:  Mark Sonnenblick
Directed by:  David Cromer
Set Design: Scott Pask
Sound Design: Paul Groothuis
Musical Supervisor: Andrew Resnick
Lighting Design: Heather Gilbert

Midnight at The Never Get plays at The Menier Chocolate Factory until Saturday 12 September