Dancing and illusion combine for magical show

Published 3:00pm 23 December 2021

Words by Ashleigh Howarth

Performers from the stage production Celtic Illusion Reimagined are heading to Redcliffe Entertainment Centre to wow audiences during two big shows in January.

With new spellbinding illusions, entrancing music, dazzling costumes and choreography, Celtic Illusion Reimagined is one of the most unique productions to tour the world.

Creator and lead star Anthony Street says a second Redcliffe show has been added to their Australia-wide tour due to high demand.

“Tickets to the first show sold out so quickly, so we are thrilled to add a second performance,” Anthony says.

“That was supposed to be our one day off but knowing there are so many people in the region that want to come and see us…well it makes working 11 days straight worth it.

“This show really does have something for everyone… it’s got dancing, music, magic, the element of surprise… it’s a great family-friendly experience.”

Performing in a COVID world

In 2020, COVID-19 brought down theatre curtains all over the world affecting performers everywhere, including the crew from Celtic Illusion Reimagined.

The group was three quarters through a tour of Canada when it was announced international borders were closing, forcing the cast and crew to pack up and postpone the rest of their tour.

“COVID really put the brakes on our plans, as we were about to commence our biggest national tour of Australia in 2020,” Anthony says.

“However, I used that down time to work on the show to bring it back bigger and better for our 10-year anniversary tour this year.”

Current border restrictions across the country have made it hard for the crew to get together and rehearse.

“Coming back now after so long off the stage, it’s been really overwhelming because we have essentially been thrown back into the deep end,” Anthony says.

“It’s been difficult to get all our cast and crew together with everyone being in different states with different border rules.

“But we love what we do, we’re dedicated to the show, and it always makes all the hard work worthwhile when people come up to me after the show and tell me how much they loved it, and how the show inspired them.”

More about Anthony’s stage career

Anthony grew up surrounded by motorbikes, racing cars, hunting and football before he fell in love with Riverdance.

With help from his grandmother, he secretly began taking Irish dance lessons.

Today, he is a world-renowned dancer, recognised as the first Australian to perform the lead role in Michael Flately’s widely acclaimed Lord of the Dance, as well as being responsible for the dance and magical sensation Celtic Illusion.

“Touring around Australia with my own show is a very surreal moment for me,” Anthony says.

“I love being on the road… travelling 5-8 hours every day is nothing new for me.”

Anthony is also one of Australia’s busiest illusionists, performing shows yearly to captivated audiences in major and regional towns.

He fell in love with magic at the age of eight at a local carnival and was instantly hooked. That year, he received his first magic set, learning techniques for close-up magic and performing for his family.

As his love for magic grew, so did his ambition to become a grand illusionist much like the world-renowned David Copperfield.