A wooden heart...

 

Spotted in the grounds of Chateau de La Guerche.

Mesure pour mesure at Château de La Guerche.

Last night we once again found ourselves in the courtyard of our neighbour Château de La Guerche, watching an outdoor production of Shakespeare's Mesure pour mesure (Measure for Measure).

The setting could hardly have been more appropriate. The château's stone walls and towers as usual forming the natural stage set, their centuries-old presence lending extra weight to a play preoccupied with power, justice and the uneasy balance between the rules we impose on others and those we apply to ourselves. 

Watching Shakespeare in French was, linguistically at least, well beyond us. Yet, as with previous productions by the Théâtre du Perron, a basic familiarity with the story meant the language soon became secondary as the visual expressions and staging carried much of the drama, allowing the performance to be appreciated in a different way.

In this production, the moral tension at the heart of the play felt especially strong. Angelo's uncompromising virtue, Isabella's unwavering integrity, our standout performance of the evening and the Duke's elaborate (?) games of disguise and judgement unfolded against the solid, unchanging backdrop of a château that has we are sure witnessed centuries of changing rulers and shifting ideas of justice.

There was an added resonance in hearing debates about mercy, authority and punishment within walls that have themselves survived wars, revolutions and the steady passage of history.

Outdoor theatre has a character all its own. As darkness fell, the illuminated stonework became part of the production. The actors' voices carried effortlessly across the courtyard, and when the play explored its darker themes, abuse of authority, hypocrisy and moral compromise, the historic setting amplified the atmosphere without ever overwhelming the performance.

The Théâtre du Perron has been staging classical theatre at La Guerche since 2019, making imaginative use of the château itself as an integral part of each production. It is an approach that transforms a historic monument into a living performance space rather than simply a backdrop.

For a three hours, Shakespeare's Vienna and southern Touraine seemed to occupy the same world. The language may have been French, the play English but the questions Shakespeare asks about justice, mercy and human nature needed no translation.

Measure for Measure is often described as one of Shakespeare's 'problem plays', occupying the uncertain ground between comedy and tragedy. Under the open sky at La Guerche, for us those ambiguities felt particularly alive. After the final scene, the cast returned with an exuberant musical finale, their evident enjoyment reflected in the audience's enthusiastic applause.

This is now the sixth production we've seen here and it has become one of the highlights of our Loire Valley summers. Big shout out to the cast, musical ensemble and family for another lovely evening. 

Last performance tonight.

Theatre at the chateau...always fun!

 

This year's fun and frolics at Chateau de La Guerche should be interesting!

Measure for Measure is a dark comedy by William Shakespeare about justice, mercy, and moral hypocrisy. It follows a strict ruler named Angelo who sentences a young man to death for premarital sex, then demands sexual favors from the man’s nun sister in exchange for his life.

Key Plot Points

The Duke's Departure: Duke Vincentio leaves Vienna and puts the rigid Angelo in charge, pretending to leave town but actually staying behind disguised as a friar. 
The Arrest: Angelo strictly enforces an old law and sentences Claudio to death for getting his fiancée Juliet pregnant. 
The Corrupt Bargain: Claudio’s sister Isabella, a novice nun, begs Angelo for mercy. Angelo agrees to spare Claudio only if Isabella sleeps with him.  
The Deception: Isabella refuses. The disguised Duke intervenes, setting up a "bed trick" where Angelo’s abandoned former fiancée Mariana takes Isabella's place in the dark. 
The Resolution: Angelo breaks his promise and orders Claudio executed anyway, but the Duke saves him. The Duke reveals his identity, exposes Angelo's hypocrisy, and forces him to marry Mariana before handing out pardons.
This was 2024's performance 'Ubu roi' by Alfred Jarry.

Back to Blue...

 A photo of our neighbour today under a clear blue sky here in La Guerche.

Yesterday at the chateau...

 

Chateau de la Guerche

Room with a view...

 

This could be yours...

From the first-floor salon, the windows frame a direct view of our neighbour Château de la Guerche a quiet reminder of the home’s exceptional setting. As spring approaches and the light begins to shift, the outlook becomes even more refined. A rare address, defined as much by its surroundings as by the house itself.

House for sale.

Yesterday at the chateau...

 

Chateau de La Guerche.

No need to dream...a White Christmas

 

White Christmas at Chateau de La Guerche this morning.

Up and down the river...

 

Capturing the view from on the bridge here in La Guerche to the east and the west.

Illuminating new feature at our friends and neighbour...

 

Chateau de La Guerche,

Lots of life currently at our neighbour's...

 

Our friend Gaynor captured this the other evening, great to see so much life at the chateau here in La Guerche. This year is special for them. 

This morning's trick of the light...

 View of our neighbour from our window this morning.

Topping off the towers...

Our neighbour has just had the left hand tower of the chateau reroofed, after the work both towers were topped off beautifully.

Setting the scene...

 

One of our favourite aspects of the annual performances that the chateau here in La Guerche puts on is the use of the building as the backdrop to the story. This year was no different with a song from above.

This is from a previous year.

Fun & frolics at the chateau...

 

Great fun last night at the chateau here in La Guerche with 'Théâtre du Perron' putting on a performance of 'Ubu roi' by Alfred Jarry.  

Imagine, if you can, Shakespeare's scheming wife from 'Macbeth' meets the ghost and revolt from Hamlet, the bear from 'The Winter's Tale', throw in an enemy eating machine and there you have it!

Awaiting their fate in the man eating machine...and they all disappeared inside with a clever piece of directing!

The evening was enhance by the talent of the musicale ensemble some of  whom, with some quick costume changes. also got involved with the acting.

Bravo  'Théâtre du Perron'...take a bow!

You can catch the last performance tonight.

Short walk around the village...

 

We took advantage of a bright, if chilly, morning to do what is now our go-to route around the village.

Monday's chateau...Chateau de La Guerche

 Chateau de La Guerche under a clear December blue sky

A Sunday walk...

 

Took a walk over the Creuse up into the woods behind Le Petite Guerche yesterday as anticipated today's walk would be cancelled due to the weather, hard to believe on such a beautiful afternoon!