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14 Jun 2016

Singapore censors Les Miserables' same-sex kiss

The scene has been removed by Singapore's staging of the play after complaints made to the Media Development Authority (MDA)

Following a review by the MDA, Lis Miserables' producers have been told that the inclusion of a kiss between two male characters meant that the production deserved an "Advisory" rating. The kiss has not appeared in performances since 3 June.

Responding to the matter, Moses Lye, head of the musical's organiser MediaCorp VizPro, said: "'Beggars at the Feast' is a comical scene during which the villain Thénardier makes fun of the wedding  guests. He gives one of them, whom he describes as queer, a quick peck on the lips. The kiss was intended to be comic. On 3 June we took action and worked with the producers to adapt the scene."

Complaints of the scene included a Facebook post in the "We are against Pinkdot in Singapore" group. User Alvin Ng said: "a gay kiss that occurred in the second last scene (the wedding dance)....was never in the original production but now it's been included here." Ng remarked that he had written to the MDA to complain and encouraged others to do the same. The post has since been removed.

In a statement to Singapore's The New Paper today (June 11), a spokesman for the MDA confirmed that action will be taken against the production for the breach of licensing conditions.

"The inclusion of the same-sex kiss was not highlighted in the script when it was submitted to MDA for classification. Upon receiving feedback from members of the public, MDA reviewed the performance and confirmed that the scene was present. MDA advised the applicant that the inclusion of this particular scene meant that the performance had exceeded the 'General' rating issued. MDA will take action against this breach of licensing conditions," a spokesperson told The New Paper.

Reader's Comments

1. 2016-06-14 13:09  
OMG! The sky is falling in and it's the end of the world.
How ridiculous and a complete failure for the censors and government to act responsibly and ignore such ignorant criticism. We have seen enough of hate crimes lately and they are only worse when they are supported by governments.
Shame on you Singapore.
2. 2016-06-14 20:15  
So, it gets an advisory rating if left in. People would still go to see it, probably even more so.

Why the need to keep the general rating?
3. 2016-06-15 07:34  
Good Point GTiLad !!!
4. 2016-06-15 18:12  
Apparently is OK to watch 2 men fighting and kill each other on the stage but not kissing......where is the logical ?
5. 2016-06-15 19:33  
Looks like Singapore is stepping back in time to the '80s, when police went into gay bars and took pictures of patrons. The government harassed gay establishments until there was only one left, Vincent's Lounge, hidden away on a high floor at Lucky Plaza, and not even allowed to play music unless it was from a radio. The Malaysian government would be proud of Singapore.
6. 2016-06-16 06:58  
how afraid are you at looking at progress and liberty for all instead of suffocating in your own vomit :( Singapore has no gay people what a lucky place to live

Comment edited on 2016-06-16 07:00:17
7. 2016-06-16 07:00  
8. 2016-06-16 10:10  
SERIOUSLY????? Alvin Ng needs to take up another hobby.... twat

9. 2016-06-17 02:40  
who would go to any of these backward places!
10. 2016-06-17 05:36  
Who would pay to watch les mis? Jeez
11. 2016-06-17 07:02  
WTF S'pore going back to the old days. I just can't believe this Alvin Ng could be suck a twat. Maybe he should petition the Gov. to close all the gay venues.
12. 2016-06-17 07:03  
Isles/Dash would agree with their decision.

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