Peter Serafinowicz character Brian Butterfield shares his thoughts on Scotland, including the deep-fried Mars Bar

He’s bringing his Call of Now tour to Edinburgh and Glasgow

His name might not be instantly familiar, but you’re sure to recognise the face (or even the voice) of Liverpudlian comedian and actor Peter Serafinowicz.

This prolific star has been in recent Guy Ritchie series, The Gentlemen on Netflix, as well as Amazon Prime series The Tick and the more recent Dead Hot, plus films Guardians of the Galaxy and Sean of the Dead, not to mention his viral Sassy Trump videos, an eponymous Bafta-nominated series, The Peter Serafinowicz Show, among many other appearances.

Behind the scenes, he was a creative consultant on South Park and he has been responsible for voicing characters on Rick & Morty, Bob’s Burgers and American Dad!

Brian with chart featuring Peter

Now, he’s touring to Scotland, under cover, as his recently revived Brian Butterfield - a spoofy comedy sketch character who requires plenty of stage make-up, a grey wig and a wardrobe that consists of a very dull grey suit. After its stage debut last year, this show was nominated for Best Tour at the 2024 Chortle Awards.

Brian Butterfield - The Call of Now, will be at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall on June 23 and Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre on June 25. Take your notebook, as Brian will be imparting all of his extensive business knowledge, in the style of a budget Alan Sugar.

In anticipation of his appearance, we spoke to Brian, not Peter, and asked him to share his sage thoughts on Scotland.

Are you in Scotland for business or pleasure?

I’m in Scotland for business AND pleasure, as business is my pleasure. However, pleasure isn’t my business. That’s illegal. Even in Scotland.I will be coming to Glasgow and Edinburgh to impart all of my business wisdom to the people of Scotland. And let me tell you, if just ONE person comes to my seminar and goes on to become a successful entrepreneur - then I will lose tens of thousands of pounds (English AND Scottish). I need to sell a LOT more than one ticket.

What do you hope to teach the people of Scotland?

Simply put: my goal is to teach every single person in Scotland every single one of the secrets to business.It’s ambitious, I know. Especially when you consider that “every single person” includes children under two years old. But you have to aim high. That’s one of my secrets of business. Although now it’s being printed in The Scotsman, it’s not technically a secret anymore.

Are there any famous Scots you particularly admire?Yes. Scot of the Antarctic. I hugely admire the extreme efforts Scot of the Antarctic made to traverse whichever of the polar regions it was he traversed. Was it the Arctic?I also admire Scot Williams. You probably won’t know him. He’s a business friend of mine. He runs a company just outside of Dundee that makes those little see-through plastic top hats that supermarkets put on bottles of expensive spirits to stop customers stealing them. Although he did just have a container load of his anti-theft devices stolen from right outside his factory.

Will you be selling copies of your new book when you visit us?

I really hope so. I meant to order 5,000 copies from the printing house, but I spilled a cup of hot gravy on my keyboard and, while attempting to wipe away the warm meaty mess, I inadvertently pressed several keys. Specifically the keys 0, 9, 8 and ‘return’.

You can imagine my surprise when 5,000,098 books were delivered to my office in a mega lorry. A 66 wheeler.So please, please, please pick up a copy of my book ‘There’s No Business Like Business’. And once you’ve picked it up, please go on to purchase it. It will be available to buy in all my tour venues and is full of excellent business advice. The only business advice it doesn’t give is what to do if you spill hot gravy on your keyboard.

Do you have a big Scottish fan club?I’m not sure I should be blowing my own trumpet. That’s not because I’m modest, it’s just that - although I do own a trumpet - I’ve never really learned to play it and so all that comes out when I try to blow it is a sort of high-pitched straining sound. It’s unpleasant for everyone concerned. Please note: I absolutely promise I won’t be playing my trumpet on this tour. But enough about trumpets. Next question.

Do you plan to visit any of our Edinburgh or Glasgow tourist attractions while you’re here?If I get enough spare time, I’m hoping to visit some popular attractions - but not for tourists, for business people.

While in Edinburgh I’ll aim to check out the Diageo Scotland offices. I’ve always wanted to see their famous car park barriers.

Then in Glasgow, it has to be the Scottish PowerHouse, home of Scottish Power. It’s a cliche, I know, but what can I say? I love business.

Do you like Scottish food? Are you worried we might scupper your diet?

I’m not worried at all as I have adapted the Butterfield Diet especially for my trip to Scotland. I will most be drinking room temperature Iron Brew (rm tmprtr Irn Bru). Then on Scottish Treat Day, I will enjoy Haggis Bonbonbonbons, Large McMacs, Hoisin Crispy Eagle, McFortune Cookies, Artificial Artificial Bacon (Bacon), Battered Mars Bars and some Mars Barred Batter.

Brian Butterfield – The Call of Now tickets are available at www.thequeenshall.net and www.paviliontheatre.co.uk