▲Noriyuki Higashiyama @ SUNDAY LIVE! 》
Junior team member Noriyuki Higashiyama was absent from the TV Asahi program "SUNDAY LIVE!" which aired on the 6th. (At 5:50 a.m. on Sunday), he took on the role of announcer on the show.
Higashiyama announced that in the stage play "Chocolate Donuts" (directed by Yamon Miyamoto), three of the relevant personnel tested positive for COVID-19, so the premiere originally scheduled for the Parco Theater in Shibuya, Tokyo, on the 7th, will be postponed.
Parco, the organizer of the show, sent a letter to various media outlets saying: "Our company has implemented a thorough approach to infection during rehearsals. All people tested negative for PCR on Friday, November 27. In the early morning of December 4 (Friday), an actor developed fever symptoms, and we tested him for PCR on the same day, and on December 5 (Saturday) confirmed that the test result was positive. "At the same time, we not only stopped rehearsals on the 4th and 5th, but also once again performed PCR tests on all members, and confirmed that 2 actors tested positive on the evening of December 5 (Saturday)." "In summary, it can be determined that a number of actors have been infected with the new crown.
Upon learning of this news, the anchor of Hamada Hayabusa at the beginning of the program group said: "Higashiyama is resting today. The news of Higashiyama's absence was announced to the audience. In addition, it was also explained: "In the stage drama starring Higashiyama, 1 co-performer developed fever symptoms on the 4th, and when the stage drama related people underwent PCR testing, 3 co-actors tested positive yesterday." Although Dongshan has no abnormalities in the body with a negative PCR test, it cannot be ruled out that he is a close contact, so he will not be allowed to appear on the show today. ”
▲ "Chocolate Donut" poster
For Higashiyama, "Chocolate Donut" is a stage play he starred in alone for 8 years, and is a stage play version of an American film based on a true story (the original name of the 14-year movie was "ANY DAY NOW"). Higashiyama plays a gay dancer who will raise a Teenager with Down syndrome with a lover played by Akisuke Tanihara (48). The press conference scheduled for the 6th has also been cancelled, and the premiere on the 7th has been postponed. Details such as the schedule of future co-performances will be announced on the official website.