Mark Schneider
© AFP/FilePRAGUE (AFP) - For the role of France's legendary general and emperor at what many consider to be his military masterpiece will be filled by an American who likes to take his wife with him on campaigns.
He is also comfortable in the saddle, whereas Napoleon was prone to falling off his horse during campaigns.
In spite of first appearances, Mark Schneider, who works at an open air museum which recreates the 18th colonial American experience at Williamsburg, Virginia, promises he will live up to the role. "I have been interested in Napoleon my whole life," he said.
Schneider started his spare time career as France's greatest general in 1998 after friends remarked on his resemblance.
Since then, he has played Napoleon around 30 times, mostly at events in the United States, such as the 1803 bicentary of Napoleon's sale of Louisiana, and for history channel programmes.
The American has had to invest in the part. A Canadian tailor made the distinctive Napoleonic greatcoat with the general's blue and green tunics acquired from a film wardrobe. "It is an initial investment that has paid for itself," Schneider said.
And even if Schneider has not got many victories under his belt - in fact his only battlefield role as Napoleon so far was facing the Prussians at Plancenoit as part of a Waterloo reenactment in June - he gives the impression of knowing the emperor's campaigns by heart.
Mark Schneider
© AFP/FileSchneider speaks French, though the imperial accent he boasts sounds more transatlantic than Corsican. He can also claim French ancestry from his mother, who moved to America from Brittany.
Schneider's performance at the reenactment of the emperor's last campaign in 1815 was far from the American's Waterloo. "At Plancenoit, I was able to speak to some of the organisers of the Austerlitz reenactment and they invited me to come along," Schneider told AFP.
He says he should give a better performance at Austerlitz, partly because he will be the same age, 36, as Napoleon when the famous battle took place.
Schneider is doing his homework for Austerlitz by reading bulletins sent during the fight and preparing battlefield speeches.
He is already talking to organisers about donning the Napoleonic greatcoat for the bicentenary of the battle of Jena-Auerstadt in Germany next year.
"Afterwards, there are the campaigns in Poland, Spain, Austria and Russia," said Schneider.
Luckily Schneider has understanding employers and a history graduate wife, like himself, who is keen to travel.
If chosen for future bicentenial events, Schneider can also afford to put on a bit of weight to keep up with the emperor. "I can let myself go a little," he explained.
At Williamsburg, Schneider's job requires him to dress in period costume with roles ranging from ordinary tradesmen to the Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat who fought during the American war of independence.
"Playing Napoleon in my spare time is a bit like a busman's holiday, but I enjoy it." Schneider said.
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