‘Mesmerising’ Celtic Illusion show features kiwi talent
Celtic Illusion is an Irish dance and illusion show developed by Anthony Street (Lord of the Dance). As part of an international tour, it’s coming to 17 centres in Aoteoroa this November, with two shows in Hamilton on Tuesday, November 5.
The show is described as ‘a unique blend of Irish dance and magic’ and the tour features some impressive kiwi talent. Dancers Johanna Scott, Phoebe Hilliam and Mitch O’Hara, vocalist Catherine Hay, as well as flute player Rennie Pearson and fiddle player Shimna Higgins.
Higgins, who was born and raised in New Zealand to Filipino and Irish parents, has been playing the fiddle for 18 years. She first joined Celtic Illusion in 2018 as ‘just a performer’, but this year, one of her own compositions is featured in the show.
“It’s really lovely to be able to connect with that side of my dad’s culture and to be able to perform in my home country as well – it’s super special”.
Higgins said being raised in a mixed household in Aotearoa brought a collision of so many different influences in her life, musically and culturally. “New Zealand is a very multicultural country anyway, so we’ve had large influences of Māori culture, different kinds of Asian and Indian cultures, and then the European influence”
“Being involved in a production that brings together so many different dance and musical genres, it’s a real treat”
Higgins said the show is “an incredibly mesmerising experience of modern music, modern and traditional Irish music, I’d say it’s quite a different approach to Irish dance with the added magic of the illusions as well”
The show was created by Anthony Street, a former lead dancer from Lord of the Dance. Along with the talented Georgia May, a ‘marvel in both dance and illusion’, they lead a cast of incredible dancers from top productions like Riverdance.
“This show is a culmination of years of dedication and passion for the art of Irish dance and illusion,” said Street. “After touring the world over the past decade, this fresh version of the show features new illusions, new dances and some of the best talent the world has to offer. I am genuinely so excited for it to be hitting the road again and heading back to New Zealand.”
The show is presented by Base Entertainment ( Ballroom Blitz, Celtica). For more information and tickets Celtic Illusion
