Spectator N0 2572 ( Blown Up )...

[Matakari]

Good evening! Yes, NACW, I’ve got the challenge that I hoped for after Doc’s offering of last week! I am stuck on the following for which I would appreciate hints/answers to help crack the theme. Many thanks in advance!
ACROSS:
14 Awfully neat image, oddly, shows ribbons (7) : ?A??I??
20 Girl dancing around current king’s cabinet (7): ?????A?
DOWN:
2 Shout greeting abroad, holding 30 (5): ?OL??
6 Introductory price I see cut on beauty treatment (9): ??????IA?
8 Seizing pounds, corrupt dictator (6): ?T????

PS: I am getting the same answer for 30a and 22d. Is this possible?

[kettledrum]

14a taeniae

[klazomaniac]

14 Taenia (Neat + I(m)A(g)E Anagram)

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari - do you really want hints or answers? Saying you'd like both means you'll just get all the answers given to you! Asking for one or the other is maybe better...

'No' to your 30 and 22 query.

[klazomaniac]

Ooops 'Taeniae'

[kettledrum]

8 Sta L in

[hypotheses]

30A and 22D are NOT the same.

[elliemay1]

2 holla?

[elliemay1]

^ if it should be 50 instead of 30

[elliemay1]

^ forget that!

[Neveracrossword]

Elliemay, the answer to 39 results in an L.

Matakari, I hope all these have now got your grid well-filled - and that should put you in a stronger position for cracking the theme. It's worth the effort - honestly!

[elliemay1]

6 pr(ic)eludial ?

[Matakari]

Many thanks, all, on the trail of the theme now.
Still not sure of the parsing of 6d ( pr(ic)eludial ? )

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari. That suggested answer isn't correct.
PS I hope you make good progress on the trail of the theme. I'm sure you'd be fully satisfied if you did!

[LancastrianOik]

I think the additional letter in 2D refers to the answer to 30A.

20A can be cross-referenced using the appropriate list in "Chambers".

[Matakari]

Good morning,thanks NACW, I’ve nailed the author, the work, the quotation, and the unclueds except for three of them. Three clues are still outstanding for which I would appreciate some hints, thanks in advance.

46 A Key change due to be forbidden (6) : T?????
26 D Airman, one twice flying in pre-fight period (8) : ?IRAI??I
41D A lot of bitter maple (4) : ???R

[bobbinwales]

41d is this an unclued or straight clue. If straight maybe just term hidden in clue??

[novalis]

tab + anagram of due
anagram of airman + two Is
5 letter word for bitter minus last letter

[novalis]

Straight clue Bobbinwales. Definition is maple

[bobbinwales]

Got it now thanks novalis. I was confused by matakaris referenvce to outstanding unclued's
I also guessed it was anagram of airman+II but cant think of it

[Matakari]

Have enjoyed discovering the unclueds, a very clever construction by Lavatch, indeed! I’m done now except for 6D which is still baffling me. Your help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
6D Introductory price I see cut on beauty treatment (9):
P?E?ALIA?