1963, in those days Singapore was just a developing nation and the idea of
giving a big part of the public a chance to see top class artistes like Nat King Cole,
like Bolshoi Ballet, Royal Ballet of London and the London Symphony Orchestra.
This is an eye-opener for Singaporeans. For me too. You know I tell you it was phenomenal.
When I went to see the Bolshoi performance it was about the third time.
They already have fans in the audience. The moment the star appeared
the applause went up you know like a roar. This is something for us to see here in this sort of
remote part of the world right. And then of course we also saw the Cambodian Royal Ballet
with the princess dancing. Can you imagine that. I mean this is a fantastic concept of the government
to build (a theater for the people). It's so that it's affordable to everybody.
Now in those days people were happy to go in there without air conditioning by 1980.
By 1985-86, people can't stand non-air-conditioned theaters
you know and then they the tenants were starting to fall. But for that burst of
nationalistic pride you might call it. It was fantastic!
I mean the people just turned up and then for some of the popular stars, singing star from Hong Kong.
The theater was filled up, people were standing around the theater
to listen to loud speakers. You know it was fantastic!
I always think that it was a very good part of Singapore. The growing age of Singapore
as a nation. That you can never repeat again. There are five diamond shapes.
I intended to be representing in my back of my mind the five races,
but I didn't want to overemphasize that you know.
In fact, some people suggested that we have murals of various dances
on each panel.
I turned it down.
I wanted it to be on the minds of people rather than to have something painted there you know.
Well as all architects will tell you, everything depends on the site.
The site and the exposure of the building determines how the plan goes and how the
appearance of the final structure will be. But at the same time I do feel that
it's not enough just to do rectangular structure because that is a natural thing to do.
What we call a post and beam construction, which is worldwide. And I think we need
to do something with the structure. To give each building I think some kind of meaning.
Singapore is an island with restricted land area right, we all know that.
And there are certain localities, such as the Marco Polo site which is quite strategic.
It's just the start of Orchard Road at the beginning of Tanglin Road and Holland Road. And
we were building to a certain density in the early 60s. So as time went on the density was lifted. So
in terms of planning the site was underdeveloped, so something has to give because you know you have
country land like the Marco Polo site you know. As you like right. So that's one of the casualties of
modern development I would say you know. It's regrettable from my point of view.
I have four grandchildren and I'm a doting grandpa.
I feel that I need to tell them something about the early stages of
how Singapore became what we are today. In the days of 63, the days of when the National Theatre
was new. Singapore was quite a different place. That's why i named the book , Accidental Nation.
Because you remember the time when we were kicked out of Malaysia?
Yes.
We didn't have armed forces. I believe we didn't
have police force because the police was under control of Kuala Lumpur.
We weren't prepared for it right and it is slowly that we developed on our own under, I
must say very capable leadership. And what we are today. So I want them to know something about it.
When you talk to a lot of worldly informed foreigners,
they have a high regard for Singapore you know.
For our diplomacy, for our development, especially our housing. I think our housing is
probably number one and two in the world. That so much public housing is provided draws a lot
of admiration you know and I think the Singapore identities is really quite well established.