‘1A/36A/1D/4D’ (five words in total) is an extract from a song about the escape of 21D/15D (three words in total). Remaining unclued lights tell when and whence the escape occurred. Across 9 Orderly really not tense (4) 11 Arab runs past the dark carbonate mineral (10) 12 Small flock nibbled rhubarb (4) 14
A ship is the theme. Clockwise round the perimeter from 39 appear a type of event followed by the names of three such events she attended with distinction and the name of her most famous passenger (6,3,8,5,2,4,3,4,9,8). Unclued lights give her nickname (a pair) and her final role. Across 12 Jug of cool Pepsi
‘4D!/18A/3D!’ (four words in total) is a quotation from a tale by the author of 9D (three words). Remaining unclued lights give the names of the two protagonists of the tale and that of the 24A in which it was told. Across 1 Hot wind from Honduras dogging opponent … (5) 6 … in the
‘31D’ is a line thrice uttered by the victim of ‘37A/34D/9D’ where his 14A grew. Remaining unclued lights give his name and how he was addressed by his son (two words) and the name of his son’s tragic friend. Across 1 Rave over wrestling tournament (5) 4 Wolf conquering war god frightens away
Clockwise round the grid from the square between 6 and 7 runs a quotation which could have referred to the three unclued lights, and its source (7,2,3,3,5,3,3,7,4,3,2,5,5). Across 9 Top part is the place to go in ships (5) 10 Wild party girl cycling (4) 11 Ex-president twice cut back tropical plants (5)
Three pairs of unclued lights suggest three four-letter words which share the same last three letters but together form 40A-25D only. Solvers must shade the clued light that contains those three letters. Across 11 Lady also studied endlessly (6) 13 Cat televised a medic on board fishing boat (7) 15 Deed of
A word can be prefixed by six unclued lights so as to form new words (including two place names). 9D is a pertinent piece of poetry (five words). Solvers must shade the appropriate unclued light. Across 1 Pepper makes host back off (5) 6 Butterfly and weathercock fool about (7) 11 Small fly buzzing
Clockwise round the grid from 1 run the final words (3,6,4,3,6,3,8,4,3,4,2,6) of a poem. Two unclued lights (one of two words) are also taken from the poem, whose author’s surname appears as a clued light which must be shaded. Across 9 Canon meeting King and Queen? (5) 10 Harrow produces playboy (4) 11
Two works, 1A/8 (four words in total) and 27/36, are by authors born in 25 and 17 respectively. Two other unclued lights give their forenames: a further relevant name will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded. Ignore an apostrophe. Across 7 Maybe bowler’s come again wanting wickets (3) 11 Turn
Nine unclued lights (including two of three words and three of two with one in short form, ignore an apostrophe) have been seen on 35. A clued light gives a further example also in short form and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 1 Stupid gents boy cleaned out (5) 10
Clockwise round the grid from the square between 3 and 4 run the names (forename and surname) of four eminent victims (7,8: 5,8: 6,7: 5,6) of a deadly 7 who left us this year. 26 gives the 7’s forename and 32 is a synonym of his surname. Across 8 Dramatic Duchess of Cornwall, say,
This is Pabulum’s last regular puzzle, though he will continue to appear from time to time. Two pairs of unclued lights give examples of the theme word. Remaining unclued lights each contain a thematic element: a relevant name (6) will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded. Across 4 Coccid growing short
Seven unclued lights (all real words) are 36s minus one letter. A further 36 formed from the omitted letters will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded. Across 1 Confederate creeshes wheels (8)5 Poem (anonymous) involving ship in port (6)9 Crooked creep with agent making profit (10)16 Tinware company backed predator (6)17 A
Five of a kind (including two of two words) can be derived from the letters of 26/27, 40/41, 46/47, 3/34 and 10/39 (all real words). 32/12D suggests mispronounced praise of the theme. Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 1 Soldiers drill in circle (5) 5 Knave less than chaste (3) 8 Rude
‘10/30’ (4,1,4,3,2,4) is the first line of a song whose tune, originally called ‘1D’ (6,2,1,5), was composed by a future 40D/2 and was often played by 39/6. The song’s title explains 34. The composer’s surname will appear diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded. Across 1 City in Israel bloke traverses
The same word appears as eight headwords in Chambers. Unclued lights indicate what they mean. The word will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded. Across 10 German town invited Newton twice (5-5) 11 Smart monarch nailing the ceremony (6) 12 Granny’s wonderful honey (3,4) 14 Yes, grandparent’s about to be of
Singers will know that where ‘Q’ = ‘the number of’: Q34/22A x Q41/39/1D x Q3/8/38 = Q the 14. 41/39/1D is a 7D. 3/8/38 is four words in total. Across 1 Ship transported new preemies (11) 7 Salary drama lecturer forfeited (3) 11 Parrot crosses centre for orris plants (6) 13 A smart criminal and
Round the grid from 1 runs a quotation (1,3,4.2,5,3,5,3,2,6) from a play followed by the dramatist’s name (two words). Two pairs of unclued lights give the name of the speaker and a sparring partner. Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 9 Romeo sharing bathroom with a woolly bear? (5) 10 The Enemy’s former sobriquet (3,4) 11
Somewhere in 23D 30 July is important. Remaining unclued lights (including two pairs and a trio) give the place’s capital city, one of its volcanoes, an indigenous reptile and its national anthem. Its former name (three words) appears diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe. Across 1 Observe
Clockwise round the grid from 7 run the names (8,5,3,3,8,3,8,7,7) of six members of a winning set, the other three members forming the unclued lights (including two of two words). Solvers must shade the two clued lights giving further relevant names. Across 8 Seaweed aged sheep gobbled (5) 9 One’s advanced banking system backing Eastern
