In Historalia's new open-air production Napoleon, a remarkable duo takes the stage together.Karin Jacobs plays Madame Mère, Napoleon's mother, while her son Jelle Cleymans steps into the shoes of the famous emperor.
Although they've shared the stage many times throughout their careers, this is the first time they're playing mother and son for real.
Jelle sees the charm in it mainly. "I think it'll be easier for mom to play my mother on stage than it was in real life — and maybe still is," he jokes. "At least there's a script now and she knows what to expect from me. I think it's fantastic that we get to go on this adventure together."
Yet that family bond disappears the moment rehearsals really begin. "Once we're performing, we're just colleagues," Jelle explains. "Then I don't think: this is my mom. Besides: my mother is a tough cookie, so that'll be just fine." "The only downside is that I tell him off personally when he's late to rehearsals," laughs Karin Jacobs.
A Very Different Mother
Historically speaking, the relationship between Napoleon and his mother was anything but warm. That's exactly what makes the role interesting for Karin Jacobs. "Thankfully, the bond I have with Jelle is much warmer than the one between Napoleon and his mother," she explains. "That relationship was rather cold. But somewhere there must have been motherly concern. When things go so badly for your son, I can't imagine that wouldn't affect you."
To immerse herself in Madame Mère, she dove into history. "I research a lot. I'm currently listening to Johan Op de Beeck's podcast about Napoleon and his mother, for instance. She was quite a stoic woman: strict, very religious, and certainly not someone who cared for grandeur. She was horrified that Josephine threw money around so carelessly. So there was no real connection with her daughter-in-law either."
Still, Karin wants to try to give her character more nuance. "She's known for being strict and distant, but I can't imagine there isn't a moment of concern or emotion somewhere. That's what I'd like to explore in the character."
According to Jelle, the script leaves room for that too. "There are definitely dramatic moments, but also some humor. That way mom's character can have more dimension than just being stern or harsh."
Open Air with a Completely Different Atmosphere
For Karin Jacobs, this production is also special because it's an open-air performance on the grounds of Castle de Merode. "At the start of the first act, it will still be light outside. That creates a completely different atmosphere than in the black box of a theater. I'm really looking forward to that." Though performing in the open air does bring a small challenge. "As redheads, we do have to be a bit careful in the summer," she laughs.From Theater to Television — and BackJelle literally grew up watching his mother's work.
"I've seen mom perform in the theater so many times," he says. "She's played much bigger roles there than many people know her from." Still, for the general public, Karin Jacobs remains most associated with television series like {{NOTRANSLATE_1}}, {{NOTRANSLATE_2}}, and of course {{NOTRANSLATE_3}}
Jelle groeide letterlijk op met het werk van zijn moeder.
“Ik heb mama ontzettend vaak in het theater aan het werk gezien,” vertelt hij. “Ze heeft daar ook veel grotere rollen gespeeld dan waar veel mensen haar van kennen.” Toch blijft Karin Jacobs voor het grote publiek vooral verbonden met televisiereeksen zoals Wittekerke, Spoed en natuurlijk Lili en Marleen". "It's funny how many people mainly think of that," says Jelle. "Whereas I mainly know her from the theater."
A boy's dream
The fact that Jelle plays Napoleon himself is actually no coincidence, according to Karin. "He's been fascinated by Napoleon since he was young," she explains. "And when nobody asked him to play Napoleon, he simply wrote the role for himself."
A joke that at the same time says a lot about the passion behind the project.
So this summer, mother and son will be sharing the stage in a grand historic spectacle — but as soon as the show begins, they set that family relationship aside.
"Then we're just two actors," says Jelle. "Telling a story together."
Do you want to See Karin Jacobs and Jelle Cleymans together on stage in these special mother-son roles? Experience their performance live in Napoleon, Historalia's grand historic open-air spectacle on the grounds of Castle de Merode in Westerlo.
From August 13, 2026
Book your tickets now and secure your place.
