Chuima, who added an “n” to the end of her last name during the recordings of one of the many radio soap operas she performed in the 1970s, welcomes us to her cozy home in Santiago de Surco to talk about her extensive artistic career . the eleventh part of “There is space below” and the story with which he wants to say goodbye to acting.
INTERVIEW WITH ADOLFO CHUIMAN
The actor welcomed us to his cozy home to talk about his long artistic career, the eleventh part of “Al Fondo Hay Sitio” and the story with which he wants to say goodbye to acting.
“Right now, as I sit here and remember so many things, I'm getting emotional. I did theater for 18 years. He toured outside. I would travel to Miami or New York, then come back to do theater, sleep a little, and the next day I had to be at the canal. I don't know if there is a Peruvian actor who has done so much. And I tell you this with humility and sincerity. This makes me think I should stop. It's not that I feel tired, but so much work is undoubtedly annoying“, acknowledges the 77-year-old national artist.
Adolfo Chuiman assures that he was reluctant to become a comedian. “They basically took me by force, they kidnapped me,” he says. (Photo: Julio Reano)
/ JULIO REAÑO
“There’s space at the bottom.”
This year, Adolfo once again takes on the role of Peter McKay, the butler from Maldini, who in the tenth part traveled to Mississippi in the USA after escaping his captors to see his son Manolo López (César Ritter).
“I've played the same character for so many years that I don't know who I am anymore (laughs). I stopped calling myself Chuiman, now I'm Peter“, assures the actor after announcing that recording of the new part of the Tuned fiction produced by Estela Redhead and directed by Gigio Aranda would begin this week. “They should be postponed because of the heat stroke. Then I started to feel dizzy. I wanted them to start in April because it's a long trip to Pachacamac, where the recording studios are. It takes two hours there and two hours back,” he adds.
And he says he doesn't know what direction his character will take in América TV's fiction. “Peter is gone. I don't know what his return will look like. I also don't know if this season will be the last. The production knows my opinion on this topic. I can't argue with them because I'll get into arguments, and the only thing I have to look for is unity. So I better stay calm. What does “There’s Space Down There” mean to me? It's my life. What ending do I want for Peter? “One who is worth it,” he agrees.
Actor by calling
Trained by great acting masters such as Ernesto Ráez Mendiola and César Ureta Alcántara, Chuiman initially joined the Histrión group and staged performances by Bertolt Brecht, Pirandello and Federico García Lorca. At that time, the actor did not think about the possibility of making a comedy on television.
“I resisted becoming a comedian, they basically took me by force, they kidnapped me. Efraín Aguilar, one of my best friends, really wanted to convince me. He told me that I was losing money. Out of respect for the theater, I didn't feel comfortable doing humor until I got fully into Who Am I? Papa” and “Guachimán Pacheco”. History changed there,” he emphasizes.
Chuiman was the star of popular sketches – such as “The Boyfriend” in “Risas y Salsa” – and popular television series such as “1000 Oficios” – a title that, according to him, he never liked because it limited his suggestions.
“I have been a gallant several times. I'll tell you an anecdote. With Olga Zumarán, my partner in “1000 Oficios,” the kisses were real. We once kissed for half an hour in a pool. It came from Miss Peru. The director never asked for a cut and as you can imagine, the production people were joking. I have to admit that I've never been a saint, but I've never liked taking advantage of women either. I was married only once (to Gladys Santa Cruz in 1968), more than fifty years ago. We have spent a lifetime together. “God is my strength,” he nods, pointing to the message on the polo shirt he is wearing.
Adolfo Chuiman is 77 years old, 55 of which he has dedicated to acting. (Photo: Julio Reano)
/ JULIO REAÑO
The actor doesn't think about his life away from the stage. He recognizes that he does not have the vitality of youth, but in return he has the experience and wisdom acquired over the years that he wants to put into practice in his next personal projects.
“I have my own project, which I’m sure will be a big goal. It's called “The Recycler.” It's a series with a car attendant and his daughter, a beautiful young woman and a recycler. I don't know if I would take part as an actor. I would like to be at the top as a director. I haven't presented it to any channel yet. If it comes about, it would be a fantastic end to the cycle,” he emphasizes.