We awarded our first monstas for 2015’s best pop, theatre, TV and film and below we review the best of 2016 so far – and look forward to what the rest of the year has in store.

• Read on for the best actress, play, actor and gig

BEST TV/FILM ACTRESS:

Sophie Okonedo is going to be hard to beat in each three of BBC2’s Hollow Crown films. Although Judi Dench certainly gave her a run for her money in the final part and Jessie Buckley and Lily James were terrific in BBC1’s War and Peace.

Can we look forward to a new series of The Bridge starring Sofia Helin on BBC4 before the year is out?

BEST PLAY:

People, Places and Things and The Maids are both near the top of our list but special mention to Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the National which bagged the Olivier for best revival.

BEST THEATRE ACTOR:

Alex Hassall’s Henry V and David Tennant’s Richard II at the Barbican for the Royal Shakespeare Company were outstanding but it was George MacKay in The Caretaker at the Old Vic who most made us sit up, listen and hide behind our seat.

We’re most looking forward to seeing John Hurt with Kenneth Branagh in The Entertainer at the Garrick in November. Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in No Man’s Land at the Wyndham’s is worth looking out for.

BEST GIG:

We’ve high hopes for Shura at KOKO 1/6 and Glastonbury at the end of this month but it’s probably Coldplay at the IndigO2 which we most enjoyed this year.

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