This weekend, the Great Hall of the Memorial Union will be transformed into the royal court of King James I and Queen Anne in late 16th-century England.

Audience members will be engaged in a nostalgic festival that relives the days of royal kings and queens, jesters, peasants, lords, and ladies.

The madrigal dinners began in 1963, says Randy Compton, Madrigal Dinner co-producer. He says the annual event has become a time-honored ISU tradition.

Donald Simonson, associate professor of music, has been involved with the festival for over two decades. He says although the dinner is based in medieval times, the event has developed and improved over the past 38 years.

“It changes a little bit every year,” Simonson says. “This is my 22nd year participating and so it has changed a bit since I started. The music changes, the drama changes … over the years, the program sort of evolves — we try to keep it up to date.”

The royal court includes King James I as well as Queen Anne. Jesters, beggars, dukes and duchesses and lords and ladies are all played by the Iowa State Singers Choral Ensemble, says Simonson, who plays the role of King James I.

“We have a lot of fun. Dancers from Orchesis II, a dance group, will perform renaissance dances,” he says. “We always get the audience involved.”

All the cast members will be dressed in full 16th-century attire, Simonson says, and the audience is encouraged to join in the show.

“Dancers take members of the audience out onto the platform to dance,” he says. “The king will come talk and greet them personally, while Musica Antiqua, an instrumental group, goes around to serenade others.”

James Rodde, professor of music and Madrigal Dinner choral director, says the event will last about three hours.

“There’s dancing, a couple of plays, fanfares and food,” Rodde says.

At the center of the festivities, guests will enjoy the traditionally prepared culinary entrees of medieval England.

“The food is wonderful,” Simonson says. “Usually, we strike a deal with Story County Pork Producers — they supply the pork. We serve the food of that period, and toast with the King and Queen drinking wassail punch traditionally used at celebrations.”

The menu includes the traditional dishes of Windsor cut pork, twice- baked potatoes, tomato farcis with sweet corn, guillotine pull-apart bread and desserts including plum pudding with lemon sauce and baked apple compote.

During dinner, guests are treated to a show of skits, madrigal songs and traditional music. Groups scheduled to perform include the Iowa State Singers, Musica Antiqua and Orchesis II, Simonson says.

“Musica Antiqua will use instruments that people have never even heard of,” he says. “All the music is historically appropriate, written in the late 1500s and early 1600s.

It ranges in style, from dance-like and jovial madrigals, to somber and heart-felt songs — it varies, but it’s all from that time period.”

Those planning to attend the madrigal dinners can expect to experience the glory of “Merrie Olde England,” and everyone is invited to witness the magic, Simonson says.

“[The Madrigal Dinner] gives a great picture of that time,” he says. “We get the audience dancing and singing with us.”

Madrigal Dinner tickets are still available for purchase at the main desk of the Memorial Union, and a limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

WHAT: 38th Annual ISU Madrigal Dinner

WHERE: The Great Hall of the Memorial Union

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

COST: $28 students, $30 public.