It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

• Read on for the nominees for the monsta for the Best New Play 2025 Previous winners 2024 Death Of England: The Plays 2023 Feeling Afraid, As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen; 2022 Tom, Dick and Harry; 2021 2.22 A Ghost Story; Tickets Review 2020: Death Of England and Death Of England: Delroy, 2019: Appropriate, 2018: The Inheritance, 2017: The Ferryman, 2016: Oddshaped Balls, 2015: Temple

1. The Fifth Step, @sohoplace Review

2. Oh, Mary!, Trafalgar Theatre Review and Tickets

3. Punch, Young Vic Theatre Review

4. The Line Of Beauty, Almeida Theatre Review

5. Unicorn, Garrick Theatre Review

• Who should win? Tell us in the comments below, on social media or email us at neildurham3@gmail.com. Winner revealed on this site on 25/12/25
• Vote for best podcast, best venue, best gig, best song, best album, best TV, best film, best tv/film actor, best tv/film actress, best new play, best revival, best performance of a song, best new musical, best theatre actor, best theatre actress, best theatre supporting actor and best theatre supporting actress
• Enjoyed this shortlist? Follow its author on Twitter @NeilDurham, email neildurham3@gmail.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook