The Healesville-born dancer was captivated the first time his grandparents played him a video of Riverdance. He literally wore out the VHS tape from overplaying it.

Little did he know then that one day he would tour the world with Riverdance’s Lord of the Dance, in the same role as Michael Flatley, and even perform for his hero in Italy.

Now, Street has created his own production – Celtic Illusion, which combines modern Irish dance with acrobatic styles and stage magic.

Street said he discovered Riverdance the same year he started playing football – when he was just 14.

“I was constantly watching Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and I thought it was the most incredible thing I’d ever seen. I thought I couldn’t not be part of it so my nanna hunted around Victoria looking for a dance class,” he said.

“She found a class in Healesville and I thought that was strange, I didn’t think it would be in my home town. We went there and I saw the dance teacher doing the steps and I was like far out, it’s actually legit.”

From there, the young dancer became obsessive, doing the steps “over and over again”, and within five years, found himself in Michael Flatley’s own role.

Street said Irish dance’s enduring popularity had something to do with a “perfect” mixture of rhythm and the beauty of the Celtic music.

“I think that every single person no matter what they say has a reaction to music and rhythm. And that’s the whole core of this style, the rhythm and sound that we all make together.

“No matter how tough or bogan or macho they think they are, everyone reacts to it, there’s something magic about Irish music that moves you.

“It creates this perfect art form.”

Celtic Illusion will perform at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts on June 8. Tickets at www.wcpa.com.au