In Lord Richard and Lady Anne’s manor, knights and ladies of the court gather to dance. Their feet glide across the floor as they sing, making clear notes that form beautiful melodies.

The knights’ and ladies’ feet slide past those of the wait staff, who are scurrying about taking plates piled with food to the audience. The audience eats and laughs throughout the evening during the Madrigal Dinner.

Set in 15th century England, the 26th annual Madrigal Dinner will take place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 4 in the Talley Student Center Ballroom.

Casey Watkins, a senior in zoology, is stage manager for the show and also plays the cook.

“Madrigal is the most family-friendly show at the University,” Watkins said. “The children love it because it feels like Disney World. When the jesters have accidents, they think it’s real.”

According to Watkins, each year, the writers script a new play by adding a new chapter to the story. The play maintains a “rye” humor while alluding to historical facts throughout the show. Watkins has participated in the Madrigal Dinner for four years and said she is accustomed to the demand of the actors, such as attending rehearsals and performances.

Watkins said rehearsals started Oct. 22, with three-hour rehearsals Sunday to Thursday.

For Matt Downing, a senior in communication, the Madrigal Dinner is his first experience with University Theatre. He said he found out about the show on N.C. State’s Web site and decided to audition.

“I had never done any kind of theater ever,” he said. “And I told myself I would do at least one show before I graduated.”

Downing, acting the part of Lord Richard, whose home is the set of the play, said he was introduced to other parts of acting, such as sword fighting and dancing. According to Downing, the most exciting part for him is when he “breaks up a sword fight” performed on stage.

Downing also said the audience will enjoy the skits performed on stage by the court “players” and “jesters.”

Andrew Mitchell, a senior in communication, plays Alfred, a jester.

“I spend pretty much half of the play rolling around and tumbling on the ground,” he said.

Watkins said jokes aren’t the only thing that has kept the audience happy — people love the food and singing.

She said as participants in the court festivities, the audience is served a full meal which includes “an entire Cornish hen, potatoes, carrots, French-onion soup, bread, wassail and biscuits.”

During the two intermissions, the ladies and gentlemen of the court walk around and greet the audience members as they enjoy their meal. The jesters tumble around doing tricks and the chamber singers perform various songs such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Good King Wenceslas” while the ladies of the court invite select audience members to the stage for a group dance.

“You get to see sword fighting and pretty girls in pretty dresses talking to you with an accent,” Watkins said. “It is all very physical and funny. There is something that appeals to basically everyone.”