A Newtown street is set to be turned into a giant performance area ahead of the switch on of the town's illuminations on December 1.

The town council says Broad Street will be the focus of an hour long 'Christmas spectacular' hosted by community theatre company, 'Rebel Alliance', who are promising to put a new twist on the traditional Christmas lights switch on in the town.

"This year there is going to be a whole different party down Broad Street," said a town council spokesman.

"New community theatre company, Rebel Alliance, have taken over the festivities with a whole hour-long Christmas spectacular, leading up to what promises to be the most amazing illuminations Newtown has seen for many years.

"Many of those who have traditionally gone along to see the Mayor and Father Christmas turn on the lights will be familiar with the Christmas Story – donkey, shepherds, Kings, baby Jesus etc. However, Rebel Alliance has brought together a community cast of nearly 60 local performers to stage the most famous story of all time. The whole length of Broad Street will be transformed into one long performance area, with a large stage at one end, and a huge stable at the other."

The performance will form part of an evening of festive entertainment in the town with music and charity stalls opening up from 5.30pm, and the council say those eager to see the 'miracle in Bethlehem' live in the centre of Newtown will need to find their places early, with the show starting at 6pm. Local choirs have also been brought in to portray the Heavenly Host and lead the audience in a series of popular carols.

School children from around the town will provide a special chorus of angels, collection of innkeepers, crowd of shepherds and cohort of kings, all taking to the stage throughout the evening. Local artists have also been hard at work for months creating a 'hovering, glowing Angel Gabriel', which is set to hover overhead.

"You’re sure of a great view of the show, featuring an original script, giving a faithful account of that one night which changed the course of human history," the council added.

"Who knows, if this Nativity is as successful as everyone involved seems determined to make it, perhaps there’ll be a new tradition in Newtown at Christmas?"