Luis Zahera on Stage and Screen: A Night of Monologue and Versatility

He says he spends most of his life on the road lately and has little free time. He admits that looking good is a pleasure but also a necessity because he must seize the moment. Hardened by a thousand battles, he knows that all that rises must fall. Zahera has earned another Goya, in 2019 and again in 2023 for his performances in The Kingdom and As bestas respectively, and he will perform at the Olympia Theatre in Valencia on Saturday. It is a bold monologue. Here he is playing Luis Zahera because Luis Zahera has many faces, he jokes.

‘Chungo’ means something difficult and complex and someone who looks bad. What definition do you have?

For me, Chungo is fun and a show where I poke fun at Luis Zahera and suggest he wants to be a gentleman. I aimed to make intimate moments that feel cinematic. He portrays characters who kill and sell drugs and more, and in this monologue I laugh at it all while entertaining the audience. It is a therapeutic format for me and audiences love it. I enjoy monologues and direct contact with the crowd. Nice to meet you. Thank you for the note about finding meaning in something challenging through humor. I believe my public presence helped me seize opportunities in television. Sometimes I feel a spark of ambition. Professional stand up is done better by others, yet we have a different appeal as performers because people come to see us. In this, recognition is a benefit. TV acts as a hook. I know influential stand-up artists like Oswaldo Digón, though they seldom appear on TV. The truth is, TV helps newcomers in stand-up who eventually join the scene. A minute here, a minute there.

It doesn’t seem like a comedian hides behind such a serious image as you project.

Well, people will have to come to the Olympia and see for themselves. One must master every facet of this business. Audiences crave drama, drama from you; they crave comedy, comedy. An actor has to know how to navigate all formats and all performances. You have to be able to play every style.

Luis Zahera. ALICAT

Even if you perform across genres as you say, how much do looks and voice matter to you?

My view is that there are too many limitations in Spain. In France, England, or the United States, timing and risk taking open wider doors. It is up to producers, directors and even chains to decide. It would be nice to think Zahera could be given a generous gift because doing bad things all the time becomes dull. Yet the real issue is not the risk but the lack of opportunities. I am content, though it can feel tedious at times. I often wear the same shirt, washing it only occasionally, and if I wear it again it feels a little stale. It is not a tragedy, just a touch sad.

But in your view, does this blunt image help you?

I am used to facing tough roles and I keep working. Statistics show this industry is brutal. Staying here is a notable achievement, so I remain humble and hopeful for what comes next. It is a strange business, even if it does not always feel that way.

He mentions stories and hysteria in the monologue. Is this the actor’s life?

This is an anecdotal monologue with stories about the self and bursts of hysteria. Acting is a joyful occupation. The chance to play the kid you were carries over into adulthood. Theater, film and television are all part of a larger dream. It is a craft that pays well and does not stop surprising them.

He said Luis Zahera makes himself look ridiculous in the monologue. It takes real generosity to pull that off!

One must consider the audience. The less focus on the self and the more on the audience, the better. People come to be entertained. I portray tough, dangerous, rebellious characters because sometimes it is funny to laugh at oneself. I try to access the child still inside me and connect it to the child the audience carries. The goal is for people to spend an hour and a half enjoying themselves. I am grateful for the thanks I receive. Beyond autographs or photos, many express appreciation and that matters. If I must embarrass myself a thousand times, I will, because it is worth it. And yes, it is all a fabrication, a performance.

Do you break away from the tension of filming in these series?

Yes, theater remains the purest form of deception in this business. I am a bit wild because I juggle theater, film and TV at once, which can be tiring, yet I stay active and modern, and I intend to seize this vital moment. I know everything that rises must fall. I am enjoying the present.

At least rictus will be relieved.

Yes indeed. Theater gives me greater satisfaction than television. It makes me happy to see people laugh, to witness their surprise and their silence, and to hear what they say afterward. Theater feels magical and ritualistic, and I love that.

Luis Zahera took Goya as best supporting actor for his role in As bestas. Efe

Do you still think interpretation is a game?

The fun remains. Over the years the magic of those early short films and games has faded a bit. Now everything feels mechanized, but it still feels like an exciting challenge to me.

Do your characters ever stop pursuing you?

They never truly leave. I always think about the next role. With the characters I play and real life, I know how to move on.

Which character would you like to play?

I would love to star in a romantic comedy. I want audiences to see me as the opposite of what they expect. I want to push to the extreme. Still, I appreciate who I am. The truth is I love and enjoy all aspects of the craft.