The Knightsbridge Theatre (the National American Shakespeare Co.) will open a new venue Aug. 21 when it stages Stephen Schwartz's Godspell. Knightsbridge has taken over The Colony Theatre Company's old 99-seat space at 1944 Riverside Drive in Silverlake and will use it regularly in future.

To help raise funds for its expansion, Knightsbridge has scheduled a Benefit and Gala on July 21 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown L.A. Proceeds will be used for the purchase of lights and sound equipment as well as the launching of a long- awaited program to involve young people in theatre. For gala information and tickets call (818) 754-4212.

Current repertory activities at Knightbridge's Pasadena home base includes: Lysistrata, which runs through Aug. 27; Othello, which runs through Aug. 13; and The Fantasticks, which runs through Aug. 27. The latter is aimed at young audiences, but not toddlers.

Knightsbridge Theatre is located at 35 S. Raymond Ave. in Old Pasadena. For tickets and information call (626) 440- 0821.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent