Listener Crossword 4070

[starwalker]

This week's offering is "The Glady Marsh" by Salamanca.

This is only the second Salamanca Listener that I have seen that is not part of his Plays of the Bard series.

Another fairly fast grid fill, but before I attempt the instructions, I feel that a small libation is called for.

[midazolam]

Eril, that clue uses a clever piece of misdirection. You need to change one letter to another. You do not need to turn anything round.

[catstail]

Thanks RuthRobin. You have saved me a week of twisting and manipulating (wrong) answers to force them around 30ac.Will now try other tracks. I was so pleased with my answer as well...

Eril, I think I have the wordplay of 35dn if my answer is correct. The wordplay tells you what to do with the Scottish word. Chambers xword dictionary has both words.

[Mysterons]

Easy maybe, but some of the clues were pretty loose. 28 down is presumably an abridged version of 'Our responsibility, and where it rests', but without a proper definition, and the wordplay and definition in19 down seem to overlap untidily.

[u10]

I can see how Salamanca wants us to amend the title to produce three new words to write below the grid. However, I think a more appropraite title would be one that is linked to the actual name appearing in the thematic work. This would be a much better way of tesing knowledge of the theme.

[teuchter2]

Having spent most of weekend at footie and hospital visiting I was pleased to get finished so quickly. After reading this thread I need to check on 8d as I didn't really understand the clue, though I'm satisfied with my answer. Do all three words of the title need to be thematically adjusted? I suppose so as it is certainly possible.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, beyond a doubt, teuchter2.

[teuchter2]

Thanks Ruthrobin. I've now checked 8d and understand it. I don't think I'll bother trying to understand the Scottish hill - i've walked up too many of them this weekend and my legs are aching.

[Mysterons]

You must be ready for a good kip now teuchter2 !

[jacinth]

Not too hard, but I laboured horribly with the asterisked clues and the final theme. I think I was staring at a full grid for almost an hour before the penny dropped, I was expecting something a bit more complicated!

[daagg]

I think I devoured the thematic work, and all the related works, at a young enough age that the two unclued down entries are ingrained in my mind. I even remembered what the theme would be without having to go and check. Signs of a misspent youth - perhaps I should have been playing Space Invaders a bit more!

[jamesah]

Generally straightforward although I can't really see much point to the title. I can't find 13A in Chambers however and don't understand 35D. A good excuse to do some re-reading however so thanks to Salamanca for that.

[Eril]

Thanks midazolam and catstail - it took a while, but I finally saw it. Actually a fair clue now I understand it. Has anyone any idea why some of the asterisked clues had definitions and others didn't?

[jacinth]

Jamesah - do you have a Bradfords? If so look up words from 13A and 35D and you should very soon be clear. 13A was my last too. I've no idea why some asterisked clues are undefined, it could be to make things slightly trickier.

[wuneyedjack]

Ruthrobin, teuchter2 - is there some point to the adjusted title beyond the obvious suggested by the theme? it doesn't seem to mean anything much, or am i missing something?

[daagg]

wuneyedjack, I think it is pretty hard to make any sort of a title using this technique, so I wouldn't look for any deeper meaning.

[Apache4D]

I personally think that the title is rather neat as it doesn't give any clue to the theme until it is fully understood and must have been tough to reverse engineer a meaningful title given the required thematic construction........yes a fairly easy fill with some rather simple clues even for a standard cryptic; but all told a few neat ideas, some tantalising ('scuse the pun) classical mythology red herrings in the clues, and enjoyable nevertheless.....looking forward to Friday and 4071!!

[jamesah]

Thanks Jacinth, I understand 35D now. I have got Bradfords but it hasn't helped with 13A yet! My answer is defined in Chambers as a type of tree! I suppose it must be wrong but I don't know how. It fits as one of the asterisked answers as well.

[jamesah]

Of course! I've been looking for a definition and there isn't one. Doh!!

[wuneyedjack]

the writer of the themetic work was rumoured to have had an affair which could be read as connected with the adjusted title, with a possible suspicious death involved - all a bit far-fetched though, even for the most devious setter

[wuneyedjack]

thanks Apache4D - always suspect I've missed the last twist to complete the puzzle, as this often turns out to be the case