Hoppily Ever After – The Frog Prince Musical is coming to The Story Museum in Oxford this Christmas. The brand-new family musical premieres in the museum’s Woodshed Theatre on 19 December 2026 and runs until 1 January 2027, with tickets priced at £14 per person.
The show comes from Little Seeds Music, the team behind festive favourites Cinderella Ice Cream Seller, A Present for Jack and Royal Christmas Pudding. It’s recommended for children aged 5 and over, along with their grown-ups.
What is Hoppily Ever After about?
Inspired by the traditional tale of The Frog Prince, the story is set inside Hoppily Ever After, the kingdom’s most in-demand songwriting agency, where love songs are written for every occasion.
Behind every hit is Prince Riberto, an award-winning songwriter with a gift for turning romance into music. There’s just one catch. After an unfortunate run-in with a powerful sorcerer, he has been turned into a frog.
Tasked with understanding true love, Riberto and his trusty employees Lily and Patrick throw themselves into writing hit after hit, leaving awards, adoring fans and happy couples in their wake. But lately, something doesn’t feel quite right. Then a royal commission arrives, a song for the Queen herself, and everything is on the line.
A West End-style musical for little tadpoles
This is the third year in a row that composer and writer David Gibb has brought a Christmas show to the Woodshed Theatre. He says the new musical explores all the different kinds of love in our lives.
“I wanted to explore what love means to all of us, whether that’s the love between parents, partners, grandparents, friends, or even the love you might feel for your dog. At its heart, the show is about celebrating all the different ways we love and the people who matter to us.”
He adds that the aim is to push the boundaries of family theatre, creating something that feels like a fully fledged West End musical but with just three performers in an intimate space. That means children can see the musicians and performers up close, while parents enjoy the show just as much as their little ones.
“We’re all about shared experiences, and that’s the gift I’m hoping to give families this Christmas at The Story Museum.”
Music, book and lyrics are by David Gibb, and the show is directed by Tristan Jackson-Pate.
Hoppily Ever After tickets and dates
- Where: The Woodshed Theatre, The Story Museum, Oxford
- When: 19 December 2026 to 1 January 2027
- Tickets: £14 per person
- Age guide: Recommended for ages 5+ and their grown-ups
Tickets are available from storymuseum.org.uk or by calling 01865 807 600.
