Ryuhei Maruyama, Kanjani Eight, shows his true face at a drinking party with fellow actors including Tomohito Yashima

The “Paradise” stage production starring Ryuhei Maruyama of “Kanjani Eight” (38), which began in October, is about to reach its final performance in autumn. In the past, Maruyama has shown a serious side that cannot be seen on TV, such as starring in “Macbeth,” one of Shakespeare’s four great tragedies.

This time, it is Maruyama’s long-cherished wish to perform in the play, which had to be cancelled two years ago.

With the departure of one of the members, there are now only five members in Kanjani Eight. Now that the center and ace of the group, Shibuya Subaru (41) and Nishikido Ryo (37), have left, the growth of the current members is essential for the group to continue to perform as a group.

One evening around 6:00 p.m., when the rehearsals for the performance were in full swing, Maruyama and his co-stars went to a soba noodle restaurant in Ikejiri (Setagaya Ward) after finishing the rehearsals. After midnight, the group finally came out of the restaurant.

Maruyama appeared in front of the restaurant with actor Yoshiyoshi Arakawa (48), his stage co-star Norito Yashima (52), and four other men, and after getting them all into a cab, he waved them off. He waved them off as they got into the taxi. As the chairman, Maruyama’s enthusiasm for the film was evident as he sat down to a drink with his co-stars.

He is a person who, even when playing the leading role, is not only the center of the action, but is able to put the other person in the center of the action. He can play the role of a “passer,” so to speak, so he can work with the big names and also make the best use of young actors,” said entertainment reporter Kaoru Shimada.

In this film, Maruyama plays the role of the leader of a fraud group. The young idol from the Kansai region has now grown up to be a veteran Japanese actor who can act as the leader of a stage troupe.

From theNovember11, 2022issue ofFRIDAY