The Stable (formerly known as Stable on the Strand) is an annual nativity play in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. [1] [2] It has been described as "part installation, part fun fair and part theatrical performance". [3]
The play is staged from 18 to 22 December on The Strand in Townsville. The festivities also include a mock Bethlehem with actors playing soldier, shepherds and the Holy Family The event attracts up to 40,000 visitors a year. [4]
The Stable was created in the Mount Louisa youth center in 1999 by Jay Goodwin and Anne Harley, and was attended by 120 people on the opening night.
The Stable moved to the Strand and acquired the name 'The Stable on the Strand'. [5] The original baby Jesus was played by Lachlan Crossan. [6]
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Stable on the Stand changed to incorporate 'stations' around Townsville that people would drive past. This was also helped by the creation of the event-specific Star Chase app, which showcased the locations of the Stable on the Strand 'station' displays and local light displays for people to create their own driving tours of the attractions. [7]
Stable on the Strand relocated to Riverway to explore the opportunity a different location provides when reaching their audience. [7]
The Stable on the Strand changed their name to The Stable. The Stable in 2022 - bringing a gift of love to the people of Townsville this Christmas through an exciting hybrid event. We are going to light up the city with Stable on the Streets displays by inviting the community to again create and register their Christmas displays. In December, an interactive map will come alive and allow people to drive around and see the visual displays depicting the message of Christmas. Come and join us at Stable at Riverway from the 18–22 December, as we immerse ourselves in the story of Christmas with live actors, realistic scenes, costumes, animals and activities for the whole family to enjoy. There will also be heaps of entertainment, a wide selection of food and a designated youth area.
This is a great event for the whole family to come to this Christmas. A free bus will run along Riverway Drive to pick up families from within the area.
The play is an interactive re-creation of the traditional Christmas story, and it involves up to 1,000 volunteers per year. [8] In 2002, it was awarded the honour of Townsville's Event of the Year.
In the Christian tradition, a nativity scene is the special exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season, of art objects representing the birth of Jesus. While the term "nativity scene" may be used of any representation of the very common subject of the Nativity of Jesus in art, it has a more specialized sense referring to seasonal displays, in particular sets of individual sculptural figures and props that are arranged for display.
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. With a population of 179,011 as of the 2021 census, it is the largest settlement in North Queensland; it is unofficially considered its capital. Townsville hosts a significant number of governmental, community and major business administrative offices for the northern half of the state.
Magnetic Island is an island 8 kilometres (5 mi) offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. This 52 km2 (20.1 sq mi) mountainous island in Cleveland Bay has effectively become a suburb of Townsville, with 2,335 permanent residents. The island is accessible from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour by ferry. There is a large 39.5 km2 (15.3 sq mi) National Park and bird sanctuary and walking tracks can be taken between the populated bays and to a number of tourist destinations such as the World War II forts.
Cardwell is a coastal town and rural locality in the Cassowary Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Cardwell had a population of 1,309 people.
Garbutt is a suburb of Townsville in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It is home to the Townsville International Airport and RAAF Townsville.
Mount Louisa is a residential suburb in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The suburb contains the mountain Mount Louisa. In the 2016 census, Mount Louisa had a population of 8,825 people.
The Strand is a seaside foreshore located in Townsville, Australia. It is located in the suburb of North Ward. The Strand has a view of the Port of Townsville and Magnetic Island, as well as to Cape Cleveland. Features in the area include a jetty, a recreational park, restaurants, cafes and pools.
Stuart is a rural coastal suburb in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Stuart had a population of 1,386 people.
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HMAS Townsville, named for the city of Townsville, Queensland, was a Fremantle-class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Built by NQEA, Cairns, the ship was laid down in 1979, and commissioned into the RAN in 1981.
Condon is a suburb of Townsville in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Condon had a population of 5,779 people.
Kelso is a suburb in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Kelso had a population of 10,599 people.
Rasmussen is a suburb of Townsville in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Rasmussen had a population of 4,456 people.
Perc(pronounced purse)Tucker Regional Gallery is a heritage-listed public art gallery in the Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
North Ward is a coastal suburb of Townsville in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, North Ward had a population of 5,065 people.
A Nativity play or Christmas pageant is a play which recounts the story of the Nativity of Jesus. It is usually performed at Christmas, the feast of the Nativity.
Pinnacles Gallery is an art space located within the Riverway Arts Centre at Riverway, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Its mission is "to make sure its programs are contemporary, engaging, accessible, interactive and enjoyable".
Majors Creek is a locality split between the City of Townsville and the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Majors Creek had a population of 329 people.
Town Common is a coastal suburb of Townsville in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Town Common had a population of 71 people.