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 Performance Of A Song of 2023 Previous winners 2022 World Of Colour (Fantastically Great Women, Theatre Royal Stratford East), 2021: Cabaret by Jessie Buckley, 2020: A Summer In Ohio by Molly Lynch (The Last Five Years, Southwark Playhouse), 2019: I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman (& Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre), 2018: Getting Married Today (Company, Gielgud Theatre), 2017: Tight Connection To My Heart (Girl From the North Country, Old Vic)

1. For Your Lover Give Some Time, Standing At The Sky’s Edge, National and Gillian Lynne Theatre Review Tickets

2. I Am What I Am, La Cage Aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Review

3. Losing My Mind, Sondheim’s Old Friends, Gielgud Theatre Review Tickets

4. Sharing Your Heart, Brokeback Mountain, @SohoPlace Review

5. You’ll Never Walk Alone, Eurovision Song Contest 2023 Preview

• 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 new musical, best song, best theatre actor,  best film, 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