Norton shines on US debut

Irish comedian Graham Norton has made his US stage debut - and immediately won over his audience by mocking President George W Bush.

The Cork comic brought the house down when he claimed Mr Bush was upset Saddam had scuppered his hopes of going to war by allowing weapons inspectors back into Iraq.

"Bush had even gone and got himself a passport," he told the packed house at New York's intimate St Clement's theatre. "He's got to use it for something."

But there were groans when Norton joked he was a mystic because he had last been in New York on September 9, 2001 to record a radio programme entitled Big Apple Crumble.

The 39-year-old has become a cult figure in the US where his TV show, So Graham Norton, is screened on BBC America.

New York City Firefighter Mark Ballantyne, who saw his stand up performance, said: "I'm sure his material isn't right for everyone here, but I'm a big fan.

"My girlfriend and I love to watch him on TV and were delighted when we heard he was finally coming to play in America."

Norton will play nine gigs at the theatre over the next two weeks, all of which have sold out in advance.

The theatre, which has a capacity of 150, doubles as an Episcopal Church. BBC America said Norton may return next year for a longer tour.