A KISS between two male actors in a musical adaptation of ‘Les Misérables’ has offended some audience members in Singapore, according to reports.
Following complaints from the public, the producers of the musical decided to remove the scene from the production altogether.
Singapore’s Media Development Authority told the show’s organizer, Mediacorp VizPro, that the “General” rating it had given the show was based on a script that did not mention the same-sex kiss, local media reports said.
The authorities in Singapore are known for enforcing stringent guidelines for public performances. In February, Madonna was forced to tone down the sensuality of her concert in the city state to conform to the MDA’s standards.
According to the BBC, the ‘Les Miserables’ scene involved a brief peck on the lips during the song Beggars at the Feast. The show’s organizers said that the scene was intended to be comical.
“The inclusion of the same-sex kiss was not highlighted in the script when it was submitted to MDA for classification. The performance was thus given a ‘General’ rating,” the MDA was quoted as saying.
“MDA will take action against this breach of licensing conditions.”
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Head of MediaCorp VizPro, Moses Lyethe, told local media that the scene has been adapted to exclude the kiss since June 3.
Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, ‘Les Misérables’ the musical is based the literary classic novel by Victor Hugo, which among other characters, chronicles the life of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption.
Last week, the Singaporean government asked international brands such as Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Bloomberg, and Apple to cease their sponsorship of Pink Dot, the country’s equivalent of the pro-LGBT Pride movement.
The non-profit organization organizes an annual rally of the same name, which was held on June 4 this year at Speakers’ Corner in Hong Lim Park, where supporters turned the park into a sea of pink.
Following queries as to whether the foreign companies were allowed to sponsor the event, MHA said: “Foreign entities should not interfere in domestic issues, especially political issues or controversial social issues with political overtones.”
Additional reporting by Associated Press
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