The Singapore production of "Les Miserables" play is receiving aggressive complaints from its audience after showing a same-sex kissing scene. The musical organizer Mediacorp VizPro has said that the scene is intended to be comical and meant no offense to anyone.
Mediacorp VizPro International launched their version of the musical in May 2016. They intended to innovate the play by changing some of the lines and adding some twist to the scenes. But their innovation seems to have gone far when they included one particular scene that was not intended for under-aged viewers.
"Beggars at the Feast" shows the scene where the antagonist Thénardier taunts the wedding guests. He gives one of them a peck on the lips. The version of the play portrayed this scene by having two male actors kiss on the lips. Moses Lye, the head of Mediacorp, explained they assumed it would have been amusing, but it was unfortunate that their viewers thought otherwise.
The Singapore Media Development Authority (MDA) immediately took action when they heard the feedback of viewers. MDA released a public statement testifying that the inclusion of the scene was not highlighted when the script was submitted for classification. Thus, they rated the play as suitable for a general audience including the under aged group.
Upon receiving the complaints, MDA automatically told Mediaacorp to get rid of the scene since it exceeded the general rating that was initially issued. MDA added that if Mediacorp had submitted a script with such scene included, they would have given it an "Advisory" rating.
Given this development, Mediacorp has agreed to remove the scene so that the play can continue until its concluding date on July 24.
However, MDA said it would take action against the agency for violating its licensing conditions.
