You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 17 categories from October this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2025.

• Read on for reasons including 9 of 17 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2025 so far

As summer comes to a close, we have a look across those categories (see below), remind you of our 2024 winners and our thoughts about the frontrunners from 2025’s 1st 8 months. Longlist part 2

BEST THEATRE ACTRESS 2024 winner: Katy Owen, The Buddha Of Suburbia, Barbican Centre Review

Cate Blanchett, The Seagull, Barbican Centre Review

Julie Hesmondhalgh, Punch, Young Vic Review Transfers to the Apollo Theatre from 22 September 2025 Tickets

Victoria Smurfit, Ghosts, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith Review

Samira Wiley, Intimate Apparel, Donmar Warehouse Review

Rachel Zegler (pictured above and below), EVITA, London Palladium Review and Tickets

BEST PERFORMANCE OF A SONG 2024 winner: Disco Ball, Why Am I So Single? Garrick Theatre Review

A Little Life, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Ambassadors Theatre Review and Tickets

Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, EVITA, London Palladium Review and Tickets

Everything Stops For Top Of The Pops, Sing Street, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith Review

I Did Something Wrong Once, Cry-Baby the musical, Arcola Theatre Review

Somebody Will, Shucked!, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Review

BEST REVIVAL 2024 winner: The Importance Of Being Earnest, National Theatre Review and Tickets

Alterations, National Theatre Review

EVITA, London Palladium Review and Tickets

Ghosts, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith Review

Intimate Apparel, Donmar Review

The Seagull, Barbican Review

BEST THEATRE ACTOR 2024 winner: Paapa Essiedu, Death Of England: The Plays, @SohoPlace Review 

Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar, Barbican Review and Tickets

Jack Riddiford, Stereophonic, Duke Of York’s Theatre Review and Tickets

Diego Andres Rodriguez, EVITA, London Palladium Review

David Shields, Punch, Young Vic Review Transfers to the Apollo Theatre from 22 September 2025 Tickets

Stuart Thompson, Radiant Boy: A Haunting, Southwark Playhouse Review

BEST NEW PLAY: 2024 winner: Death Of England: The Plays, @SohoPlace Review

The Fifth Step, @sohoplace Review

Juniper Blood, Donmar Warehouse Review and Tickets

Punch, Young Vic Theatre Review Transfers to the Apollo Theatre from 22 September 2025 Tickets

Radiant Boy: A Haunting, Southwark Playhouse Review

Unicorn, Garrick Theatre Review

BEST NEW MUSICAL: 2024 winner: Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre, Review

Cry Baby – the musical, Arcola Review

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Ambassadors Review and Tickets

Shucked!, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Review

Sing Street, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith Review

Stereophonic, Duke Of York’s Theatre Review and Tickets

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 2024 winner: Lorraine Ashbourne, Till The Stars Come Down, National now Theatre Royal Haymarket Review Tickets

Emma Corrin, The Seagull, Barbican Centre Review

Erin Doherty, Unicorn, Garrick Theatre Review

Faith Omole, Intimate Apparel, Donmar Warehouse Review

Tanya Reynolds, The Seagull, Barbican Centre Review

Shuna Snow, Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs, Kiln Theatre Review

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 2024 winner: Jak Malone, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre, Review Tickets

Billy Jenkins, Oliver!, Gielgud Theatre Review and Tickets

Joaquin Pedro Valdes, The Lightning Thief, Other Palace Review

Callum Scott Howells, Ghosts, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith Review

David Threlfall, A Moon For The Misbegotten, Almeida Review

Jason Watkins, The Seagull, Barbican Centre Review

BEST VENUE 2024 winner: @SohoPlace Review Death Of England: The Plays Tickets

London Palladium Review and Tickets

Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith Review and Tickets

The MOTH Club Review and Tickets

Wyndham’s Theatre Review and Tickets

Young Vic Review and Tickets

• Picture via Facebook courtesy EVITA! and London Palladium Tickets
• Have you seen any of these shows or heard the songs? Let us know what you thought in the comments below. Part 2 follows in the next week
• Enjoyed this review? Follow its author on Twitter @NeilDurham, email neildurham3@gmail.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook