It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2018? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2018.

• Read on for nominees for the monsta for Best Performance of a song. 2017 winner: Tight Connection To My Heart by Sheila Atim (Girl From The North Country, Old Vic)

1. Don’t Shoot For The Stars (Shoot Higher) by Eugenius cast, Other Palace Review

2. Getting Married Today by Jonathan Bailey, Company Gielgud Theatre Review Tickets

3. The Ladies Who Lunch by Patti LuPone, Company Gielgud Theatre Review Tickets

4. You Could Drive A Person Crazy by George Blagden, Richard Fleeshman and Matthew Seadon-Young,  Company Gielgud Theatre Review Tickets

5. Lot’s Wife by Sharon D. Clarke Caroline, Or Change, Hampstead Theatre then Playhouse Theatre Review Tickets

• Who should win? Tell us in the comments below. Want to know why we like this shortlist? Click on the tags to read our reviews. Winner revealed 29/12/18.
• Enjoyed this shortlist? Follow its author on Twitter @NeilDurham, email neildurham3@gmail.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook