COMEDY

Scott Capurro is at the Freedom Cafe, Wardour Street, London, W1 (0171-734 0071) 15-18 October

We've always lapped up camp. But recently, British audiences have come to accept - relish, even - more in-your-face gayness on stage.

Well, they don't come much more in-your-face than Scott Capurro, the San Francisco comedian for whom the adjective "waspish" could have been invented. "I'm self-referential," Capurro tells me down the line from the States, "and I'm obsessed with detail.

I'm relentless. I don't let things go."

His unambiguous on-stage discussion of his sexuality has perhaps inevitably brought bigots out of the woodwork.

"I was doing a gig in Sacramento last week and a woman yelled out, 'Change the subject.' She didn't wanna hear anymore about my being queer, so I destroyed her. "

He has found, however, that British audiences are far less prejudiced. "You guys have a tradition of flamboyant comedians."

The thing that really worries Brits, he contends, is the fact that he's American. "Everyone hates Americans, we're annoying."

So prepare to be annoyed - and amused.

EYE ON THE NEW

Bob Downe, the Australian King of Kitsch, continues his Autumn Tour 96. The creation of Mark Trevorrow, formerly arts editor of Australian Vogue (really). Bracknell, 12 Oct (01775 725 031), St Albans, 18 Oct (01727 866 466), then touring