It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

• Read on for the nominees for the monsta for Best New Musical of 2023 Previous winners 2022 Tammy Faye; 2021 Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella; 2020: Sleepless: The musical; 2019: Vulvarine; 2018: Eugenius; 2017: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

1. A Strange Loop, Barbican Centre Review Tickets

2. Brokeback Mountain, @SohoPlace Review

3. Standing At The Sky’s Edge, National Review Tickets

4. Two Strangers, Kiln Theatre Review Tickets

5. The Witches, National Theatre Review Tickets

• Who should win? Tell us in the comments below or email us at neildurham3@gmail.com. Winner revealed on this site on 30/12/23
• Vote for best podcast, best venue , best TV/film actress, best TV/film actor, best supporting actor, best TV, best gig, best album, best new play, best song, best theatre actor, best new musical, best performance of a song, best revival best theatre actress
• Enjoyed this shortlist? Follow its author on Twitter @NeilDurham, email neildurham3@gmail.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook