Music from the theatres and taverns of Restoration London was brought vividly to life by the New London Consort, in the wonderfully intimate setting of the Wesley Memorial Hall in New Inn Hall Street. Billed as The Delightful Companion, this was an apt name in more ways than one - not just because it was named after one of the music collections published at the time, but because the evening was, in every sense, absolutely delightful.

This was a celebration of the music that became popular in the London taverns towards the end of the 17th century, most notably by Purcell, whose self-contained songs, dances and masques were ideally suited to be extracted from the operas for which they were written and given new life elsewhere. Many of these tavern concerts were held to raise money for good causes - a noble aim mirrored at this concert, in aid of Helen and Douglas House.

Unsurprisingly, Purcell featured heavily in the programme, with music from The Indian Queen, Abdelazer, Don Quixote and his Orpheus Britannicus collection. I particularly enjoyed the humour and energy of Mark Rowlinson, whose strong baritone and fine sense of drama were put to good use in Let the dreadful engines of eternal will, one of the mad songs from Don Quixote, and Bacchus is a Pow'r Divine from Orpheus Britannicus. Rowlinson has that kind of charisma that instantly lights up a stage, and I would have been happy to have listened to him all night. But there was a pleasing contribution, too, from soprano Julia Gooding, and excellent support from harpsichordist David Roblou.

Among the pieces by other composers, the most delightful was the Sonata in Imitation of Birds by William Williams, performed with joy and virtuosity by Philip Pickett and Heather Moger on the recorders and Catherine Finnis on the bass viol.

This was a wonderful evening, which deserved to be better supported.