Cal State Northridge's Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Los Angeles has scheduled two outstanding theatrical attractions as part of its 2001 spring season, the second in the Center's history. Former Royal Shakespeare Company member Gareth Armstrong brings his one-man show Shylock to Los Angeles for the first time, February 4. On April 3-4 Les Deux Mondes theatre company of Quebec, Canada, will make its debut appearance in California with The Tale of Teeka.

Armstrong has been touring for some time in Europe and the USA with Shylock, a show he developed himself. "Playing Shylock in a production of The Merchant of Venice,, I because fascinated by this most controversial of Shakespeare's characters. Only Hamlet has inspired more debate and dissension, so there is plenty of scope for research. But no academic who writes about the play can know what it's like to be Shylock. He is the ultimate outsider—and misfits are always the most interesting to play."

In Shylock Armstrong tries to explore the character and his legacy through the eyes of the only other Jewish man in Shakespeare, and Shylock's only friend, Trubal.

Les Deux Mondes has triumphed world-wide with Tale, which deals with Maurice, an adult, who opens the memory bank of childhood to reveal his heartfelt friendship with his pet goose, Teeka. Written by Michel Marc Bouchard, the play is translated by Linda Garboiau and is directed by Daniel Meilleur.

The full season at CSUN offers 63 music, dance, theatre and visual arts events. Among the other highlights are a staging of Aaron Copeland's opera The Tender Land, a visit by the Celtic supergroup Altan, and concerts by Maureen McGovern and Kay Ballard.Cal State Northridge is located in the San Fernando Valley at 18111 Nordhoff St. For tickets and information call (818) 677-2488.

— By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent