Listener Crossword 4153: Rhythm for a Dance by Brimstone

[Zabadak]

I think I have it, though one element, the two letter replacement, and one additional word entry are as yet unconfirmed. I'm still trying to justify everything, which looks like being a bit of a slog, but it all looks as if it fits. I have the characters and the title, and I'm half inclined to say "enough is enough" just now, and look on it all with fresh eyes tomorrow.
At the moment, it all feels a bit messy, but thanks to Brimstone for a considerable workout.

[aldanna]

Well, I said I thought I was almost there. Now I am there apart from the two letter replacement, and despite much grid-staring by both of us, no success at all. I am admitting defeat as I need a couple of days fairly low in crosswords to gear myself up for the next onslaught on Friday. Clever puzzle, and well done all you who solved it easily.

[Walterloo]

I'm the same, aldanna. I have a completed grid, the title and the characters but the two letters still to find. I'm struggling to work out how two extra words left over define the one entry that needs to be altered. I have an idea but not final PDM yet. Will struggle on.

[dr b]

It seems to me that if you are changing two letters in the grid, that will alter either one, three or two words in the grid, depending on whether your changed letters are both unchecked, both checked, or one of each.

[perseverer]

aldanna, Walterloo - the instructions tell you to change 2 letters in one entry - it doesn't say this can't affect something else

[perseverer]

....sorry - dr b posted while I was typing

[Walterloo]

Thanks dr b and perseverer. You've confirmed my idea. Will look at this again once my supper has been digested.

[Cruncher]

Well - spoke too soon. Although I got the theme fairly quickly, to really confirm the entries there is a lot of cold solving to be done. It is a well-constructed puzzle but I always feel a little annoyed with puzzles where it is possible to arrive at a grid answer without solving the clue. Finding some of the original answers here was pretty tricky I thought

[Walterloo]

Got there at last. I need a sponge down. Got the two letter change eventually and I'll echo other thoughts by saying that this was indeed a slog and not for the squeamish. But a really good puzzle nonetheless, packed full of stuff to get your head round. Probably one of the best in terms of a challenge, thematic material, clever grid construction and clues.

[Coalminers]

This crossword wasn't completely pointless (but almost), as yesterday's TV show of that name demonstrated. I was straight in there with the best answer!

[JackDeCrow]

Hard work indeed! Had one of the 5 clues with a change in down as a normal one for a long time (it kind of works) which messed things up a bit, and there are still two clues (6a and 32a) where I'm not sure I'll ever figure out what they were before modification as there isn't much to go on for a wordsearch! Impressive puzzle though and probably one that will come out at the lower end of number of correct submissions, if only because many may give up through exhaustion!

[contendo]

Give up through exhaustion? Yes, I'm sorely tempted. I got off to a slow start after a little help. I've finally filled the grid apart from 6a but the only 5-letter words I can deduce for the title don't seem remotely relevant. Maybe I've got one of the letters wrong, but it seems unlikely. I've got 18 extra words instead of 17 and no matches for 7 of them. Perhaps I'll sleep on it and give it another go tomorrow.

[contendo]

...just got 6a, but the title and the 2-letter adjustment still elude me.

[silversolver]

contendo - it is worth googling your possible 5-letter words and this may help if you are not already familiar with the theme.

[contendo]

I spoke too soon. Just got the title which wasn't in my literary armamentarium. Thanks for the hint Silversolver, but I got it by looking in a certain book. Now for the 2 letters.

[BlackHugh]

After having a completed grid for a couple I have also just worked out the thematic title and the two 5 letter characters. My only nagging worry is that I cannot see any connection to the actual title of the puzzle. Am I missing something obvious?

[JackDeCrow]

BlackHugh- look up the key word from the thematic title in BRB - you should find a couple of entries that help!

[BlackHugh]

Ah yes - thanks Jack

[serpentinew]

Finally got there - not the best Listener to come back from one's holiday to and play catch up with. Jack - if you're still wondering about 6ac the bugbear is a poker, as to 32ac the disease of grasses is ergot. The rest you can deduce and check in the BRB.

[contendo]

Finally got the two letters, which at least explains one of my spare extra words.
Serpentinew - a gentle reminder that it is the tradition here, unlike other Answerbank threads, not to give answers away.

[Staurologist]

Having just returned from a trip to Vienna [and how relevant is that? :>)], I find myself again, as so often, in the Friday club (i.e. the second Friday). As one who values the aesthetic elements of a puzzle, I found this rather scrappy. A symmetrical grid would have been preferable, even if it meant fewer thematic elements. And the final two-letter change only added extra complications, so to speak. It could have been replaced by a thematic clue, giving 16/16 instead of 15/17. However, in the end, as the man said, the play's the thing.