How a Singaporean doctor became the architect of his nation's cultural soul

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Goh Poh Seng was a polymath who balanced a twenty-five-year medical career with a radical mission to define Singaporean identity. From pioneering Singlish on stage to opening the city's first theatre-disco, he fought to elevate the arts, ultimately shaping the cultural landscape of a post-independent nation before emigrating to Canada.

Born in 1936 in Kuala Lumpur, Goh Poh Seng’s artistic sensibilities were forged in Ireland, where he studied medicine and immersed himself in the literary circles of Patrick Kavanagh, Brendan Behan, and Samuel Beckett. Upon returning to Singapore, he became a central figure in the arts, co-founding Centre 65 in 1965 to foster multidisciplinary creativity. His commitment extended to public service, where he served as Chairman of the National Theatre Trust Board and vice-chairman of the Arts Council, helping to establish institutions like the Singapore National Symphony and the Singapore Dance Company.

Goh’s literary contributions were equally transformative. His 1972 novel, If We Dream Too Long, is widely regarded as the first English-language Singaporean novel. Despite initial criticism from The Straits Times, it gained lasting recognition, winning the National Book Development Council of Singapore Fiction Award in 1976 and becoming a staple in university literature courses. He was a trailblazer in theatre as well, with his 1972 play When the Smiles Are Done marking the first time Singlish was used on stage, a bold move that challenged linguistic norms of the era.

Beyond the page and stage, Goh was a cultural entrepreneur who pushed boundaries. In 1983, he opened the Rainbow Lounge, a venue that combined live music and theatre. However, his unconventional approach often clashed with authorities; the lounge was closed following a complaint about an indecent remark by a band member, a catalyst that led to his emigration to Canada in 1986. Even in his later years, while battling Parkinson’s disease, he remained a prolific writer, leaving behind a legacy that was celebrated at the 2023 Singapore Writers Festival as foundational to the nation's cultural identity.

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