ST4375

[bamberger]

Down to the last four -only taken 3 hours fo far!
10a Start to read first part of play and chapter in China -that's sensible. P?????c?l.
Practical fits and makes sense and part of a play is an act but that would still leave me with Pr ical.
If correct, why,please? And if wrong what is correct answer?
9d Purist left poster lying. ?????l?r. I thought about an anagram of poster and L but that is only 7 letters.
Once I have those I hope i can get "2d Coach a few of them" . Guessed at tutor but without any conviction and 12a Back in bed without medicine (5) but have absolutely no idea what clue is about.
Thanks to all

[Ranjit]

9d Stick(L)er

[Lie-in King]

Practical - r(ead) + act 1 + c(hapter (in) pal ("china plate" = mate)

[kayakamina]

2 Train

12 Tonic

[bibblebub]

10a start to read = r(ead) first part of play = act 1, chapter = c, china = pal (rhyming slang)

thus, P r acti c AL

[bamberger]

Thanks al -the word play for 10a is either brilliant or fiendish or both! Never would have got china equalling pal -clearly you have to know that convention.
12a Very obvious when you see answer but would never had got that.
2a&9d maybe I should have got them.

[geo0939]

To explain the rhyming slang; china plate=mate=pal.