This was one with a few unknown words. All of them were clear enough to get from the wordplay, however.
I did like 16A
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 BISHOPRIC – BRIC(k) = block, around I = one and SHOP = commercial outlet | |
| 6 COPIOUS – CO = commander, PIOUS = showing religious fervour | |
| 10 SAT UP – SAT = having exam, UP = at university | |
| 13 SURGEON – SON = issue, around URGE = desire | |
| 14 BAIRN – BAN = outlaw, around IR(ish) | |
| 15 EXTRACTOR – EXTRA = player in crowd scene, (a)CTOR = thespian | |
| 16 A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION – cryptic, where the King = Elvis. I liked this clue | |
| 17 DUENNA – DUE = expected, N,N = nouns, A(djectives) | |
| 18 DO-GOODER – DOG = pet, RODEO* | |
| 19 COLETTE – hidden in monaCO LETTEr | |
| 22 TRIO SONATA – (SINATRA TOO)* | |
| 23 ACHILLES HEEL – A CHILL = a cold, EEL = fish, around SHE = girl | |
| 27 YAHOO – YAH = affected upper-class sort, O,O = rounds | |
| 29 DORMICE – DORM = room, initial letters of I(n) C(omfortable) E(nvironment) | |
| 30 TABLETOP – TABLET = small computer, OP = work | |
| 32 ESCAPEES – sounds like ESS, KAY = two letters, then PEES = other letters | |
| 34 TAUNTON – TAUNT = guy, ON = working | |
| 36 TENCH – (s)TENCH = smell | |
| 39 UNITED STATES – U.S. = unserviceable = worthless | |
| 41 GREEN PAPER – GREEN = eco-friendly, PR = pair, around APE = copy | |
| 44 SHEATHE – SHE = book, A, THE = articles | |
| 46 LOTHARIO – HARLOT*, I = one, O = love | |
| 48 BARELY – B(illions), A, RELY = bank | |
| 50 HITTING THE NAIL ON THE HEAD – double definition | |
| 53 UNITARIAN – (IN A RUT)*, IAN = Scotsman | |
| 54 GRILL – double definition | |
| 55 BREEDER – B(ook), REED = DEER = ruminants and ER = RE = on, reversed together | |
| 56 EMEND – ED = newspaper chief, around MEN = people | |
| 57 GREETER – double definition | |
| 58 SHELTERED – SHED = outhouse, around LT = officer and ERE = previously | |
| Down | |
| 1 BASRA – ARABS* | |
| 2 SERVICE WITH A SMILE – SERVICE = crockery, WI(ne), (THIS MEAL)* | |
| 3 OVERTONES – OVERT = far from subtle, ONES | |
| 4 RINGER – (c)RINGER = one who winces | |
| 5 CUB REPORTER – CUBE = shape, around R(uns), PORTER = beer | |
| 6 CHIP SHOT – CHIPS = snack, HOT = straight from the pan | |
| 7 PINFOLD – P(ressure), IN = at home, FOLD = collapse. One of the unknown words | |
| 8 OPEN VERDICT – O(ld), PEN = writer, VERDI = composer, CT = court | |
| 9 SATIRICAL – (ALISTAIR C(ooke))* | |
| 10 SEA WALL – SEW = join, ALL = everyone, around A | |
| 11 TUTSI – TUT = king of old, SI = IS reversed | |
| 12 PIRANDELLO – P(lay), (I LAND ROLE). Another unknown | |
| 17 DOTTY – DO = party, T.T. = dry, Y(en) | |
| 20 THE YOUNG PRETENDER – double definition, the second mildly cryptic | |
| 21 ON EDGE – ONE = individual, alternate letters in DeGrEe | |
| 24 CHEQUE – sounds like CHECK = vet | |
| 25 SCENT – sounds like SENT = thrilled | |
| 26 BISTRE – BRE(xiteers) around IST = first | |
| 28 ORATE – hidden in fOR A TEapot | |
| 31 BUNTER – BUN = cake, T(ime) E(clai)R | |
| 33 SMALL CHANGE – double definition | |
| 35 TORTICOLLIS – TORTI = I TROT = I run, reversed, COLLI(e)S = dogs. Yet another unknown | |
| 37 HARRY – H(orse), A, R(uns), RY = railway | |
| 38 GUEST HOUSE – GUESSE(d) = reckoned, around THOU = you (once) | |
| 40 SLEIGHING – SING = carol, around LEIGH = Vivien | |
| 42 PLACEMENT – PT = part, around LACE MEN = Nottingham’s workers | |
| 43 FAMILIAR – RAF = servicemen, around I(sland) and LIMA = capital, all reversed | |
| 45 TRI-BAND – BRIT*, AND = with | |
| 47 TONIGHT – TON = heavyweight, (f)IGHT = boxing match | |
| 49 STABLE – S(mall), TABLE = piece of furniture | |
| 51 TRIPE – initial letters of T(hat’s) R(ejected) I(n) P(osh) E(ateries) | |
| 52 DARED – DAR(t)ED = shot | |
Ong’ara,
Kenya.