Illuminated from above, Noel Fitzpatrick entered Aberdeen’s Music Hall by walking up the aisle. Like an American televangelist his crusade to entertain, compel and move his audience to tears began in earnest.
“We are the light we shine into the world,” the booming commentary began. “And love is the only thing that has eternal life.”
But any doubt the nation’s favourite veterinary surgeon would be preaching to the converted was short lived. A mere “Alright Aberdeen,” in his Irish lilt drew audible delight and obvious lean-in from an eager crowd.
Return to Aberdeen
Promised a night of compelling stories and fan favourite glimpses into the career of the man famed for his bionic inventions the show began with an admission that he’d been in Aberdeen before.
Turns out Noel, who famously treated Meghan Markle’s beagle, had a brush with acting. Despite being unsuccessful for a part Colin Farrell secured in Ballykissangel, he did land a role in a movie. Set off the coast of the Granite City, Ghost Rig wasn’t the blockbuster he’d hoped. And with that confession, Noel’s reminiscing continued. Off we went back to his rural Irish childhood where a dog called Pirate sparked his love affair with the animal kingdom.
Tell-all approach
Story after story followed, split into Ted Talk chunks, accompanied by graphics and compelling music. Think Steve Jobs announcing a new Apple product but on a budget.
Shareable quotes like ‘follow the sheep that has hope’ flanked stories of dogs with ruptured ligaments and a cat he’d saved from a brain tumour. Yet all the examples weren’t so upbeat.
“I’m a polarising character,” he admitted, as he explained the nuances of regular veterinary practice and how some members of his profession believe he overtreats animals or see his work as dangerous experimentation.
This wasn’t a belief shared by the sold-out audience, however. Verbally affirming his tell-all approach and his plea for a more common sense approach to medicine – for humans and animals alike – his masterful ability to compel the room never relented.
Emotional second act
As he weaved us through both halves of the two hour show we learned he’d had tea with The Queen, that he’d battled his ego and that animals have both taught and saved him, more than once.
The second half began with an almost hypnotic segment. He asked those in attendance to close their eyes and imagine a devastating scenario involving a puppy called Stevie who was run over by a car. “What would you do in that situation?” he probed. The woman next to me cried just imagining it.
Other heartrending moments followed where Noel candidly spoke of his own childhood abuse and how it’s underpinned his belief in giving a voice to the voiceless.
Engaging and compelling
Each segment of the night led into another. From hope to courage, curiosity to truth… by the end a constellation of emotive words were revealed. “They’ve always been there, but perhaps you’ve not seen them until this moment.”
The cynic in me was less impressed by this climax to the show. What looked like a religious experience for some, paled in comparison to his call for veterinary reform, in my opinion. However, an immediate standing ovation suggested I was likely in the minority.
As an apologist for his methods there’s no denying Noel Fitzpatrick is first rate. A sizeable chunk of the £39-a-ticket, Saturday night show was devoted to dissecting the politics of vet insurance policy and it still kept the audience entertained.
As we left the room I saw at least one new convert. “Aye,” said the man to his partner, “He was super right enough.”
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